Hanging storage frame

Abstract

A hanging storage frame is provided for supporting a variety of items between a pair of parallel structural supports, such as ceiling joists, or roof truss chords. The present invention is particularly suitable for use in residential garages. Preferably constructed of tubular or angular material the storage frame consists of two pairs of slidably coupled vertical members positioned between two pairs of slidably adjustable horizontal members. The lower set of horizontal members being substantially longer than the upper members and include a plurality of fasteners to hang items such as shovels, rakes and the like. The height and width of the frame is adjustable to accommodate variety of building frame configurations. The frame is mounted using a pair of pivoting mounts which can adjust to accommodate placement on bottom truss chords or within diagonal web members. Used in tandem the frames can store items such as canoes and lumber.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/789,694 filed Apr. 7, 2006, and hereby incorporates the entire disclosure of that application by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a hanging storage frame for use in residential, commercial or industrial buildings, such as residential garages, from which various items may be hung. And it further relates to components which constitute the hanging storage frame, such as the horizontal and vertical slidably adjustable mounting and hanging members, pivoting mounts, and a variety of attachments for hanging items from the frame.

Conventionally, items such as rakes, shovels, and the like have been either stored along the walls of buildings, or suspended from the ceiling using hooks which are screwed or nailed into the ceiling. Mounting and repositioning of the hooks is time-consuming and difficult and may compromise the structural integrity of the roof system of the building.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a portable hanging storage frame which utilizes pivoting mounts to allow for screw-less and nail-less transverse placement between ceiling joists or trusses and allows items such as rakes, shovels, shelves and cabinets to be suspended vertically at various heights. The storage frame may be moved to different location without the need to remove screw, nails or other fasteners. Used in tandem the hanging storage frames can store items along a horizontal plane, such as lumber, canoes, kayaks and the like.

The hanging storage frame according to the present invention comprises: two pivoting mounts connected to a slidably adjustable horizontal member which mounts on top of and spans between two exposed ceiling joists; two slidably adjustable vertical members extending downward from the said horizontal member, which allow for height adjustment: a slidably adjustable horizontal bottom member with a plurality of fasteners for suspension of various storage items; and an adjustable clamping bracket to prevent rotation of the frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the storage frame depicting the pivoting mounts positioned within the diagonal web members of a truss, the slidably adjustable horizontal and vertical members, the clamping bracket, and the fasteners along the bottom member.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pivoting mounts.

FIG. 3 is perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention in which the pivoting mounts are positioned along the bottom horizontal chord of a roof truss.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout several views. One embodiment of the hanging frame in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 in which supporting pivot mounts 1 attach transversely between two supporting trusses 21. Pivot mounts 1 are pivotally connected to frame support 2. Pivot mounts 1 and frame support 2 are pivotally connected to allow for placement within truss web members or along horizontal surfaces such as truss chords, I-beam flanges, or joists. Frame supports 2 are connected to frame members 4 and 5 which are slidably connected to sufficiently larger frame member 6 by means of fasteners 7 and 8 allowing the frame to fit transversely between parallel trusses, beams, or joists. In a similar manner the lower section of the frame can be slidably adjusted by means of sliding frame members 9 and 10 within sufficiently larger frame member 11 and fixing this position by means of fasteners 12 and 13. Vertical members 14 and 15 are connected to horizontal members 9 and 10 using fasteners 16 and 17. The vertical height of the frame can be slidably adjusted by means of sliding sufficiently smaller frame members 4, 5 within sufficiently larger frame members 14 and 15 respectively and fixing their position using fasteners 18 and 19. This allows stored items to be hung at a convenient height. A vertically adjustable clamping bracket 3 allows the frame to be clamped to the underside of the truss 21, beam, or joist thereby preventing rotation of the frame. Horizontal frame members 9 and 10 allow for the mounting of sliding hooks 20 or other accessories such as cabinets, tracks for existing storage systems, or carrousel rotating storage hooks. When storage frames are used in tandem horizontal members 9 and 10 may be used for the placement of lumber, canoes, or other long items spanning horizontally from one frame to another.

As best seen in FIG. 2 pivot mounts 1 and frame support 2 are pivotally connected to allow for placement along diagonal truss web members while allowing for vertical hanging of the storage frame.

FIG. 3 depicts the mounting of the frame on a horizontal surface such as a truss chord, joist, beam or any other horizontal surface whereby pivot mounts 1 and frame support 2 allow for horizontal placement and clamping bracket 3 prevents rotation of the frame.

The pivoting mounts, fasteners, and framing members may be constructed of a suitable metal, plastic, or composite material.

Claims

1. A hanging storage frame for the storage of a variety of items between a pair of parallel spaced-apart supports, said hanging storage frame comprising:

first and second complementary upper support members each consisting of a horizontal and vertical portion with said horizontal portions slidably coupled together, two lower vertical frame members slidably coupled to the said first and second upper vertical frame member portions to allow for vertical positioning of items to be stored on the frame, two lower horizontal frame members slidably coupled together and each fastened to said lower vertical frame members, each of said lower horizontal frame members having an arrangement of positioning holes to accept various hooks and brackets, said lower horizontal frame members when coupled together shall have a total length substantially greater than that of said spaced-apart supports, a clamping bracket suitably coupled to said lower frame members and bearing against said parallel spaced-apart supports to prevent rotation of the frame, a pair of pivoting mounts pivotally coupled to said first and second upper support member vertical portions to fasten the frame to said parallel spaced-apart supports.

2. A hanging storage frame according to claim 1, wherein each of said pivoting mounts consist of a semi-circular central member made of a suitable sheet material having a centrally located hole and two outwardly located holes to accept pivoting fasteners, two identical mounting portions each consisting of a substantially semi-circular connection portion and an angled contact portion such that a 90 degree angle is created between the connection portion and the contact portion, a hole located within upper edge of the said substantially semi-circular connection portion, said central member and said connection portions being pivotally connected such that the each contact portion may rest upon contact surfaces of varying angles.

3. A hanging storage frame according to claim 2 wherein said contact portion includes at least one hole for receiving a mounting fastener.

4. A hanging storage frame system, consisting of: a first and second frame spaced apart from the first stand whereby each stand consists of: first and second complementary upper support members each consisting of a horizontal and vertical portion with said horizontal portions slidably coupled together, two lower vertical frame members slidably coupled to the said first and second upper vertical frame member portions to allow for vertical positioning of items to be stored on the frame, two lower horizontal frame members slidably coupled together and each fastened to said lower vertical frame members, each of said lower horizontal frame members having an arrangement of positioning holes to accept various hooks and brackets, said lower horizontal frame members when coupled together shall have a total length substantially greater than that of said spaced-apart supports, a clamping bracket suitably coupled to said lower frame members and bearing against said parallel spaced-apart supports to prevent rotation of the frame, a pair of pivoting mounts pivotally coupled to said first and second upper support member vertical portions to fasten the frame to said parallel spaced-apart supports, wherein items may be positioned longitudinally along the said lower horizontal members of the said first and second frame.

5. A storage frame according to claim 1 wherein each of said lower horizontal frame members includes a plurality of mounting apertures for receiving at least one mounting fastener.

6. A storage frame system according to claim 4 wherein at least one longitudinal member couples said lower horizontal member of first frame to said lower horizontal frame member of second frame.