Track support system and method
A track support system for installation in a housing having opposed first and second side walls with the housing capable of receiving a storage unit therein, the track system comprising the first side wall having a first component, a second component and a third component arranged in horizontal row. The second side wall having a mirror image first component, a mirror image second component and a mirror image third component arranged in a mirror image horizontal row. The mirror image first components support weight and provide stops for horizontal and angled storage units, the mirror image second components have mirror image angled sliding surfaces for guiding the storage unit to an angled position, and provide stops when the storage unit is horizontal and partly withdrawn from the housing, and mirror image third components have curved surfaces for guiding the unit to the angled position and support weight.
The present invention relates to the field of housings and storage systems for use therein.
BACKGROUNDThere are housings, for example cabinets, locking cabinets, and carts that can support a shelf or shelves horizontally so that objects can be placed on the shelf. However, problems can exist with the introduction and/or removal of the shelves from the housing. For example, when shelves are introduced or removed from the housing, they can undesirably wedge or jam against the internal sides of the housing. In addition, there is no reliable way for the shelves to be supported in a housing at an angle, because the shelves supported at an angle have the tendency to slide out of the housing due to gravity forces.
Thus, there is a need for a system that overcomes the above-described problems. It addition, it would be desirable if such a system were easy to make and use, and have a long working life.
SUMMARYThe invention is a track support system for installation in a housing having opposed first and second side walls or opposed first and second panels. The housing includes a base wall and an opposed elevated wall, and a back wall, such that the first and second side walls extend between the base and elevated wall. There is an opening in the housing opposite the back wall. Each of opposed first and second side walls has opposed first and second edges and opposed third and fourth edges. The first edges of the first and second side walls are proximal the opening in the housing and extend vertically, the second edges extend along the back wall, the third edges extend along the elevated wall, and the fourth edges extend along the base.
The first side wall or first panel has a plurality of differently configured elements extending from it that are disposed in a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal rows of elements. The second side wall or second panel has a plurality of differently configured elements extending from it that are disposed in a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal rows of elements. The plurality of vertically spaced horizontal rows of elements form a pattern on the first side wall or first panel, and the plurality of vertically spaced horizontal rows of elements form a pattern on the second side wall or second panel.
Each of the differently configured elements disposed on the first side wall and the second side wall are opposite one another and are mirror images of one another, and the vertically spaced horizontal rows of elements disposed on the first and second side walls are opposite one another and are mirror images of one another, and the patterns disposed on the first and second side walls are opposite one another and are mirror images of one another. In this arrangement, storage units can be slidably received in the housing horizontally or at an angle supported on the mirror image horizontal rows.
In a preferred embodiment, each of the horizontal rows of elements disposed on the first side wall or panel includes a first component for supporting weight and providing a stop when the storage unit is fully introduced into the housing horizontally or at an angle, and for providing an extraction safety stop when the storage unit is partially removed from the housing. Each horizontal row further includes a second component for supporting weight and providing an inclined sliding surface for providing lift when the storage unit is introduced into the housing at an angle. The horizontal row further includes a third component for providing lift when the storage unit is introduced into the housing at an angle and for supporting the weight of the storage unit. In each horizontal row of elements, the first component is proximal the opening in the housing, the third component is proximal the back wall of the housing, and the second component is positioned between the first and third components. In one of the preferred embodiments, the first component on the first side wall or first panel has a rectangular shape, the second component has a telephone shape, and the third component has a tear drop shape. The second side wall has a mirror image first component has a mirror image rectangular shape, the mirror image second component has a mirror image telephone shape, and the mirror image third component has a mirror image tear drop shape.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURES
The present invention is a track support system 20 and is shown generally in
The first and second side walls 24, 26, respectively, are cut to size from a molded panel 42, as shown in
As shown in
When the housing 22 is assembled or otherwise brought together, the second edge 35b of the first side wall 24, and the second edge 39b of the second side wall 26, abut against the back wall 28 of the housing 22, as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
In one of the preferred embodiments the first component and mirror image first component 60, 60a, respectively, are molded such that the first component 60 has a rectangular shape 61, and the mirror image first component 60a has a mirror image rectangular shape 61a, as shown in
As shown in
In one of the preferred embodiments the second component 62 is formed to have a telephone shape 63, and the mirror image second component 62a is formed such it has a mirror image telephone shape 63a, as shown in
The second component and mirror image second component 62,62a, respectively, support weight and are at the location from which daily use will occur as storage units 119 are slid in and out of the housing 22 horizontally or at an angle. In addition, the second component and mirror image second component 62, 62a, respectively, provide the guide track function for guiding the support units 119 when they are introduced into or removed from the housing 22 horizontally or at an angle. It is pointed out that when the storage unit 119 is introduced into the housing 22 and is slid past the mirror image first components 60,60a, respectively, the user (not shown) has several options. The user can slide the storage unit 119 horizontally into the housing 22 over the mirror image second components 62, 62a, respectively. Or, as shown in
In addition, as previously mentioned, the second component 62 has the base stop surface 93 and the mirror image base second component 62a has a mirror image base stop surface 93a, as shown in
In one of the preferred embodiments the third component and mirror image third component 64,64a, respectively, are molded such that the third component 64 has a tear drop shape 65, and the mirror image third component 65a has a mirror image tear drop shape 65a, as shown in
The concave lifting surface 104 and mirror image concave lifting surface 104a support and guide the support unit 119 when it is introduced into the housing 22 at an angle, for example, a 30° angle, as described above. The third convex sliding surface 112 and mirror image third convex sliding surface 112a support the weight of the storage unit 119 when it is horizontally located in the housing 22.
In one of the preferred embodiments the horizontal rows 51, 51a, respectively, are spaced about 2.88 inches from one another, and the concave lifting surfaces 104, 104a, respectively, have about an 8 (eight) inch radius that provides the lift required to slide in and correct the angle as the storage units 119 are introduced into the housing 22 at an angle. In other embodiments, these dimensions can be changed.
As shown in
In addition, each of the opposed first and second walls 130, 132, respectively, and opposed third and fourth walls 134, 136, respectively, advantageously has a taper 152. The taper 152 extends in a direction toward the tub base 138, and in one the preferred embodiments the taper 152 can be about 8°. The taper 152 advantageously allows for the tub 122 to be slid in out of the housing 22 without interference with vertically disposed horizontal rows 51,51a, respectively.
It is pointed out that when the tub 122 is slid into the housing 22 at an angle, as shown in
The wire basket 124, shown generally in
It is pointed out that when the wire basket 124 is slid into the housing 22 at an angle as shown in
The shelf 120 shown in
In use, taking for example the tub 122, the tub 122 is moved horizontally between opposed mirror image first components 60, 60a, respectively, and slid into the housing over the first component 60 and mirror image 60a first component. As insertion continues, the tub blocking members 150 extending from the tub will contact the second component 62 and mirror image second component 62 disposed in the horizontal row 51 and mirror image horizontal row 51a disposed vertically above. The user can push downwardly on the tub 122 such that the tub 122 slides up the second component 62 and the mirror image second component 62a disposed vertically above, and the tub 122 is thus moved to the angled position. The tub 122 then moves upwardly upon contacting the third component 64 and concave lifting surface 104 and mirror image third component 64a and mirror image concave lifting surface 104a. Once fully inserted the tub 122 comes to rest, and abuts against the stop 86 and mirror image stop 86a. If, on the other hand, during introduction the user lifts up on the tub 122 when it contacts the second component 62 and mirror image second component 62a disposed vertically above, then the blocking members 150 will move under the base stop surface 93 and mirror image base stop surface 93a disposed vertically above, such that the tub 122 can be moved into the housing 22 horizontally. Thus, the base stop surface 93 and mirror image base stop surface 93a provide for a working level stop when a storage unit 119 is horizontally positioned in the housing 22. It is to be understood that the wire basket 124 and shelf 120 are introduced into the housing horizontally or vertically in a like manner.
As described above, the tub 122 has tub blocking members 150, the wire basket 124 has wire basket blocking members 177, and the shelf 120 has shelf blocking members 199. Taking the tub 122 as an example, when the tub 122 is horizontally located in the housing 22 and pulled from the housing 22, the tub blocking members 150 engage the base stop surface 93 on the second component 62 and the mirror image base stop surface 93a on the mirror image second component 62a that are disposed on the horizontal rows 51 and mirror image horizontal row 5la spaced vertically above, such that the tub 122 cannot be slid out of the housing 22 without the user taking addition action. When the tub 122 is horizontally slid out of the housing 22 to this stopping location in this manner, about 80% of the tub 122 is accessible to the user, and the tub hangs downwardly at about a 20 degree angle, which advantageously provides the user with easy access to the tub 122 contents. This thus advantageously allows the tub 122 to be partly withdrawn out of the housing so that the user can access items stored in the tub 122, without the risk of the tub 122 sliding out of the housing 22. To further remove the tub 122, the user must lift the tub 122 about 20 degrees upwardly to move the blocking members 150 under the base stop surface 93 and the mirror image base stop surface 93a. Thereafter, the user can continue to pull the tub 122 out of the housing 22. In this connection, the blocking members 150 contact the first component 60 and mirror image first component 60a, respectively, disposed vertically above the tub 122, and in particular contact the extraction stop surface 74 and the mirror image extraction stop 74a, which advantageously provides a safety stop such that the tub 22 is prevented from undesirably or uncontrollably sliding completely out of the housing 22. To fully remove the tub, the user need only lift the tub 122 upwardly such that it is horizontal and pull it outward from the housing 22. Similarly, to remove a tub 122 that is at an angle in the housing 22, the user lifts the tub out of the stop 86 and mirror image stop 86a, until the blocking members 150 engage the first component 60 and mirror image first component 60a disposed vertically above. The tub 122 can be removed from the housing 22 by lifting it such that it is horizontal and sliding it out of the housing 22. It is pointed out that the mirror image first and second components 60, 60a, respectively, provide the working level stop in the 30 degree mode. The tub blocking members 150 engage the mirror image extraction stop surfaces 74,74a, respectively, disposed on the mirror image first components disposed vertically above. The tub 150 thus pivots on the first component 60 and mirror image first component 60a disposed vertically below. To remove the tub 122, the user then tilts the tub 122 until it is horizontal and slides it out of the housing 22.
In addition, it is to be understood that the shelf 120 and wire basket 124 can be introduced into the housing 22 horizontally and removed from the housing 22 horizontally in the same manner as described above in connection with the horizontal introduction and removal of the tub 122 from the housing 22, and can be introduced into the housing 22 at an angle and removed from the housing 22 from an angle position in the same manner as described above in connection the angled introduction and removal of the tub 122 from the housing 22.
It is pointed out that the third component 64 has a third convex sliding surface 112 and the mirror image third component 64a has a third convex sliding surface 11 2a each supports the weight of the storage units 119 in the horizontal mode and provides for mirror image convex sliding surfaces 112, 112a in the horizontal mode
In addition, the tubs 122 and wire baskets 124 are two dimensional shapes, and in one of the preferred embodiments, the tub 122 and basket 124 has a width of 400 millimeters and a depth of 600 millimeters. The system can advantageously can be used in combination with two dimensionally different shapes and their multiples. The first side wall 24 and the second side wall 26 can be sized accordingly.
A method is of making a shelving system is also provided including forming a molded panel 42 from an ABS material, providing the molded panel with horizontal rows of elements and slicing the molded panel in a half along its longitudinal axis to make the first side wall 24 and the second side wall 26 that is a mirror image thereof, and using the first and second side walls 24, 26 to form a housing 22.
As shown in
In addition, in another embodiment a standard housing (not shown) could be provided having a base, a back wall, an elevated wall and first and second opposed outer walls having interior surfaces, wherein the elevated wall is opposite the base, and wherein the back wall extends between the first and second opposed outer walls.
The standard housing has a standard housing opening opposite the back wall. Such a standard housing having this basic structure is well known to those having ordinary skill in the art. The first side or panel 24 can be joined to the interior surface of the first outer wall with, for example, screws, and the second side or second panel 26 can be joined to the interior surface of the second outer wall with, for example, screws, such that the first second and third components, 60, 62, 64, respectively, and mirror image first, second, and third components 60a, 62a, 64a, are opposite one another and are otherwise arrange in the standard housing exactly the same as described above in connection with the first embodiment. That is, the first component and mirror image component 60, 60a, respectively, are proximal the standard housing opening. For the purpose of joining, the first and second side or panels 24, 26, respectively, can be provide with mirror image dimples 85, 85a, respectively, through which the screw (not shown) can be passed, as shown in
Thus, the present invention provides superior solution that ends the problem of drawers that wedge or jam. It also advantageously provides a way for storage units to be partly withdrawn from a housing, for example, at an angle, and eliminates the risk that they can inadvertently slide out of the housing. The present invention also provides for a superior way to support storage units at an angle, feed storage unit into a housing at an angle, and remove storage units from an angled position.
In other embodiments, the housing 22 can also be embodied as a locking cabinet with doors and a lock.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that while a track support system and method has been described above in connection with particular embodiments and examples, the invention is not necessarily so limited, and other embodiments, examples, uses, and modifications and departures from the described embodiments, examples, and uses may be made without departing from the track support system and method. All of these embodiments are intended to be within the scope and spirit of the present track support system and method.
Claims
1. A track support system for installation in a housing having opposed first and second side walls with the housing capable of receiving a storage unit therein, the rack system comprising:
- the first side wall and having a first component, a second component and a third component arranged in horizontal row,
- the second side wall having a mirror image first component, a mirror image second component and a mirror image third component arranged in a mirror image horizontal row, and
- wherein the first component provides a stop and the and mirror image first component provides a mirror image stop for preventing the storage unit from inadvertently sliding out of the housing when housed therein.
2. The track support system according to claim 1 wherein the first side has a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal rows of components and the second side has a mirror image plurality of vertically spaced horizontal rows of components and wherein the storage unit is capable of being introduced into the housing between the mirror image vertically spaced horizontal rows of components.
3. The track support system according to claim 1 wherein the stop and the mirror image stop are for preventing the storage unit from sliding out of the housing when the storage unit is slidably received in the housing at an angle.
4. The track support system according to claim 2 wherein the vertically spaced horizontal rows disposed on the first side form a pattern and wherein the mirror image plurality of vertically spaced horizontal rows disposed on the second side form a mirror image pattern.
5. The track support system according to claim 3 wherein the first component has an extraction safety stop surface and the mirror image first component has mirror image extraction safety stop surface for engaging the storage unit disposed vertically below to prevent the storage unit disposed vertically below from inadvertently sliding completely out of the housing when the storage unit disposed vertically below is partly withdrawn from the housing.
6. The track support system according to claim 5 wherein the storage unit disposed vertically below has blocking members for engaging the extraction safety stop surface and the mirror image extraction safety stop surface.
7. The track support system according to claim 1 wherein the second component has an angled sliding surface and the mirror image second component has a mirror image angled sliding surface and wherein the sliding surface and mirror image sliding surface are for supporting weight and for guiding the storage unit when the storage unit is introduced into the housing at an angle and wherein the second component has a base stop surface and mirror image second component has a mirror base stop surface and wherein the base stop surface and mirror image base stop surface are for stopping the horizontal movement of a storage unit disposed vertically below.
8. The track support system according to claim 1 wherein the third component has a concave surface and the mirror image third component has a mirror image concave surface and wherein the concave surface and mirror image concave surface are for allowing the lifting of the storage unit to an angled position when the storage unit is introduced into the housing at an angle and further wherein the third component has a convex sliding surface and a mirror image third component has a mirror image convex sliding surface for allowing the horizontal sliding movement of the storage unit.
9. The track support system according to claim 8 wherein the third component and the mirror image third component are for supporting weight when the storage unit is introduced into the housing horizontally and when the storage unit is introduced into the housing at an angle.
10. The track support system according the claim 8 wherein first component has an extraction safety stop surface and the mirror image first component has a mirror image extraction safety stop surface for preventing the inadvertent withdrawal of the storage unit disposed vertically below from the housing.
11. The track support system according to claim 10 wherein the storage unit includes a tub having tub blocking members, a shelf having shelf blocking members and a wire basket having wire basket blocking members, and wherein the tub blocking members, wire basket blocking members and shelf blocking members are for engaging the extraction safety stop surface and the mirror image extraction safety stop surface disposed vertically above such that the shelf, tub and wire basket can be partly withdrawn from the housing and maintained in the partly withdrawn position.
12. The track support system according to claim 1 wherein the first component has a rectangular shape formed with the stop and the mirror image first component has a mirror image rectangular shape formed with the mirror image stop, and the second component has a telephone shape having a sliding surface and the mirror image second component has a mirror image telephone shape having a mirror image sliding surface, and the third component has a tear drop shape having a concave lifting surface and the mirror image third component has a mirror image tear drop shape having a mirror image concave lifting surface.
13. The track support system according to claim 7 wherein the angled surface is at about a 30° angle.
14. A method of providing a track support system for installation in a housing having opposed first and second side walls with the housing capable of receiving a storage unit therein, the method comprising:
- providing the first side wall with a first component, a second component and a third component and arranging the first component second component and third component in a horizontal row,
- providing the second side wall with a mirror image first component, a mirror image second component and a mirror image third component and arranging the first component, the second component and the third component in a mirror image horizontal row, and
- providing the first component with a stop and providing the mirror image first component with a stop for preventing the storage unit from inadvertently sliding out of the housing when housed therein.
15. The method according to claim 14 further comprising providing the first side with a plurality of vertically spaced horizontal rows of components and providing the second side with a mirror image plurality of vertically spaced horizontal rows of components and wherein the storage unit is capable of being introduced into the housing between the mirror image vertically spaced horizontal rows of components.
16. The method according to claim 15 further comprising providing the first component with an extraction safety stop surface and providing the mirror image first component with a mirror image extraction safety stop surface for engaging the storage unit disposed vertically below to prevent the storage unit disposed vertically below from inadvertently sliding completely out of the housing when the storage unit disposed vertically below is partly withdrawn from the housing and providing the storage unit disposed vertically below with blocking members for engaging the extraction safety stop surface and the mirror image extraction safety stop surface.
17. The method according to claim 16 further comprising providing the second component with an angled sliding surface and the mirror image second component with a mirror image angled sliding surface and wherein the sliding surface and mirror image sliding surface are for supporting weight and for guiding the storage unit when the storage unit is introduced into the housing at an angle and providing the second component with a base stop surface and providing the mirror image second component with a base stop surface and wherein the base stop surface and mirror image base stop surface are for engaging the storage unit disposed vertically below.
18. The method according to claim 17 further comprising providing the third component with a concave surface and the mirror image third component has a mirror image concave surface and wherein the concave surface and mirror image concave surface are for lifting the storage unit to an angled position when the storage unit is introduced into the housing at an angle and wherein the third component and the mirror image third component are for supporting weight when the storage unit is introduced into the housing horizontally and when the storage unit is introduced into the housing at an angle.
19. Method according to claim 14 comprising providing the first component with a rectangular shape and having the stop and providing the mirror image first component with a mirror image rectangular shape formed with the mirror image stop, and providing the second component with a telephone shape having a sliding surface and providing the mirror image second component has a mirror image telephone shape having a mirror image sliding surface, and providing the third component with a tear drop shape having a concave lifting surface and providing the mirror image third-component with a tear drop shape having a mirror image concave lifting surface.
20. A track support system for supporting a storage unit and for use in a standard housing having first and second outer walls having interior surfaces, a back wall, a base and an opposed elevated wall, the track system comprising:
- a first panel joined to the interior surface of the outer wall and having a first component, a second component and a third component arranged in horizontal row,
- a second panel joined to the interior surface of the second outer wall and having a mirror image first component, a mirror image second component and a mirror image third component arranged in a mirror image horizontal row, and
- wherein the first component provides a stop and the and mirror image first component provides a mirror image stop for preventing the storage unit from inadvertently sliding out of the housing when housed therein, and further wherein the second component and mirror image second component each provide mirror image angled sliding surfaces that allow for angled sliding of a storage unit and having mirror image base stop surfaces for blocking horizontal movement of the support unit disposed vertically below and wherein the third component and mirror image third component have mirror image curved surfaces, such that the storage unit can be introduced into the standard housing horizontally and at an angle, and when introduced at an angle the storage unit is supported on the mirror image sliding surfaces, and wherein the first panel and the second pane comprise plastic.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 26, 2006
Publication Date: Nov 1, 2007
Inventor: Paul Remondino (Spring Lake, MI)
Application Number: 11/411,592
International Classification: A47B 88/00 (20060101);