OVERHEAD STORAGE UNIT

Abstract

An overhead storage unit providing a consumer with an efficient system of using otherwise un-usable overhead space for the storage of various articles. The overhead storage unit includes a mounting frame for securing the storage unit to the underside of a horizontal surface, such as ceiling for example, a storage bin, and a swing coupling attaching the storage bin to the mounting frame. The swing coupling allows the storage bin to be swing from a raised, stowed position with the top of the storage bin being parallel to the horizontal surface to a lowered, rearward position while maintaining the top of the bin parallel to the horizontal surface. The storage unit further comprises a mechanism that provides a mechanical advantage to aid a consumer in raising and lowering the storage bin in a controlled manner, and a latch for securing the storage bin in the raised position.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to storage systems. More particularly, relating to overhead storage systems suspended from a horizontal surface, such as a ceiling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, an overhead storage unit is provided. The purpose of the overhead storage unit is to provide a consumer with an efficient system of using otherwise un-usable overhead space for the storage of various articles. The overhead storage unit is easy to operate and includes an assist means for helping a consumer in raising and lowering the overhead storage unit in a controlled manner, which is critical to the safety of the consumer when heavy articles are sought to be stored.

In general, in one aspect, the overhead storage unit includes an open top bin having a front, a rear and two side walls; a mounting frame adapted to be mounted to an underside of a horizontal surface, the mounting frame having a forward end and rearward end; a swing means for allowing the bin to swing from a raised position adjacent the horizontal surface to a lowered position below and rearward of the raised position, the swing means is attached to and between the frame and the bin; an assist means for providing mechanical assistance in swinging the bin from the raised position to the lowered position and back to the raised position, the assist means being connected to the mounting frame; and a latch means for securing the bin in the raised position.

In general, in another aspect, the swing means includes first and second rear swing arms each having opposite ends, one of the opposite ends of each of the first and second swing arms being pivotally attached to the rear of said bin, and the other of the opposite ends of each of the first and second swing arms being pivotally attached to the rearward end of the mounting frame; and first and second front swing arms each having opposite ends, one of the opposite end of each of the first and second front swing arms being pivotally attached to the front of said bin, and the other of the opposite ends of each of the first and second front swing arms being pivotally attached to the forward end of the mounting frame.

In general, in another aspect, the assist means includes first and second spring saddles, the first spring saddle being fixedly attached to the first rear swing arm, and the second spring saddle being fixedly attached to the second rear swing arm; first and second springs each having opposite ends, one end of the first spring being attached to the first spring saddle with the other end of the first spring being attached to the mounting frame approximate and forward of the pivotal attachment between the first rear swing arm with the mounting frame, and one end of the second spring being attached to the second spring saddle with the other end of the second spring being attached to the mounting frame approximate and forward of the pivot attachment between the second rear swing arm with the mounting frame.

In general, in another aspect, the assist means includes a motor having a shaft; and a first coupling member having opposite ends one of the opposite ends attached to the mounting frame with the other end attached to the shaft of said motor such that the coupling is wound onto and off of the shaft to raise and lower the bin.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an overhead storage unit constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view showing the overhead storage unit attached to a horizontal surface, such as a ceiling or rafters of a garage with the bin in a raised stowed or stored position;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view showing the overhead storage unit attached to a horizontal surface, such as a ceiling or rafters of a garage of a garage with the bin in a lowered and rearward position from the raised stowed position as shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of an alternate version of the overhead storage unit including a motorized assist means;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 1 showing a pivotal coupling of a swing arm to the bin;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 1 showing a pivotal coupling of a swing arm to the mounting frame;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken longitudinally through the bin and latch means for securing the bin the raised stowed position;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 4 showing detailed view of the motorized assist means; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged detail view of a spring biased assist means.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1-8, a preferred embodiment of the overhead storage unit of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral 10.

In FIG. 1, there is shown an exploded perspective view of the overhead storage unit 10, herein after referred to as a storage unit 10. The storage unit 10 primarily includes a mounting frame 12, a swing means 14, storage bin 16 and an assist means 18. The mounting frame 12 is adapted to be secured or otherwise attached to the underside of a horizontal surface, such as ceiling or to rafters of a ceiling. The storage bin 16 is an open top type bin having a rear 20, a front 22, a first side wall 24, a second side wall 26, and a bottom 28. The swing means 14 couples the storage bin 16 to the mounting frame 12 and allows the storage bin to swing from a raised, stowed position as shown in FIG. 2 to a lowered and rearward position as shown in FIG. 3. The assist means 18 provides mechanical advantage to a user and allows the user to raise and lower the storage bin 16 in a controlled manner.

With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the mounting frame 12 includes a first and second side brackets 30 and 32, which are each attached to the mounting surface 34 parallel and approximate to the first and second side walls 24 and 26, respectively, of the storage bin 16. The first and second side brackets 30 and 32 each have a forward end 36 and a rearward end 38. The forward end of each being orientated towards the front 22 of the storage bin and the rearward end 38 of each being orientated towards the rear 20 of the storage bin. The first and second side brackets 30 and 32 can be of an L-shaped angle iron with the flange 40 of each being secured to the mounting surface 34 and the web 42 of each extending downward from the mounting surface.

The swing means 14 includes a first rear swing arm 44, a first rear swing arm 46, a first front swing arm 48, and a second front swing arm 50, each having opposite ends 52. The first rear swing arm 44 and the first rear swing arm 46 are each pivotally attached at one end to the storage bin 16 on the first and second side walls 24 and 26, respectively, at the rear 20 of the storage bin and pivotally attached at the other end to the mounting frame 12 to the first and second bracket 30 and 32, respectively, towards the rearward end 38 of each bracket. The first front swing arm 48 and the second front swing arm 50 are each pivotally attached at one end to the storage bin 16 on the first and second side wall 26 and 28, respectively, at the front 22 of the storage bin and pivotally attached at the other end to the mounting frame 12 to the first and second brackets 30 and 32, respectively, towards the forward end 36 of each bracket.

The first rear swing arm 44 and said first front swing arm 48 are each pivotally attached to the mounting frame 12 and the storage bin 16 such that they each lie in a common plane that is perpendicular to the front 22 and the rear 20 of the storage bin. The first rear swing arm 46 and the second front swing arm 50 are each pivotally attached to the mounting frame 12 and the storage bin 16 such that they each line in a common plane that is perpendicular to the front 22 and the rear 20 of the storage bin. The first and second rear swing arms 44 and 46 are parallel to each other and the first and second front swing arms 48 and 50 are parallel to each other.

With reference to FIG. 5 there is shown an exemplary pivotal coupling 54 of an end 52 of a swing arm with the storage bin 16. The pivotal coupling 54 is a bolted coupling including an elongated bushing 56 having a flanged head 58 which is inserted through a hole 60 through a side wall of the storage bin 16 until the flange head abuts the side wall. A bolt 62 is passed through a hole in the end 52 of the swing arm and through the bushing 56. A washer 64 is placed on the end of the bolt 62 followed by a nut 66. Again, this is just an example of a coupling that could be used to pivotally attach the end 52 of a swing arm to the storage bin 16 and various other couplings could reasonably be used.

With reference to FIG. 6 there is shown an exemplary pivotal coupling 68 of an end 52 of a swing arm with a bracket 30 or 32 of the mounting frame 12. The pivot coupling 68 is also a bolted coupling including a spacer bushing 70 which is positioned between the end 52 of the swing arm and the bracket. A bolt 72 is inserted through the end of the swing arm, the spacer bushing 70 and the bracket 30 and is secured with a nut 74. A washer is 76 positioned between the bolt head and the bracket 30 and between the nut 74 and the bracket as shown. Again, this is just an example of a coupling that could be used to pivotally attach the end 52 of a swing arm to the mounting frame 12 and various other couplings could reasonably be used.

With reference again to FIGS. 1-3, each swing arm further includes a bend 78 made at a point intermediate the opposite ends 52. The bend 78 being made in a plane parallel to the swing arm and in a direction towards the rear of the storage unit, as shown. The bend 78 allows the storage bin to swing from a raised, stowed position where an upper edge 80 of each first and second side walls 24 and 26 is substantially parallel to the horizontal surface 34, to which the storage unit 10 is mounted, to a lower and rearward position where the upper edge of each side wall remains substantially parallel to the horizontal surface.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 9, in one version, the assist means 18 includes at least one coupling element 82, such as a tension spring, attached at one end to the mounting frame 12 and at the other end to either the swing means 14 or the storage bin 16. Preferably, in one version, the assist means 18 includes two tension springs 88, each having opposite ends 86 and two spring saddles 90. Each spring saddle includes a saddle portion 92 and a disc member 94 including a plurality of circumferentially spaced holes 96. A single spring saddle 90 is fixedly attached to each rear swing arm 44 and 46. One of the springs 88 is attached at one end to the spring saddle attached to the first rear swing arm at one of the spaced holes 96 and attached at the opposite end to the mounting frame 12 at the first bracket 30 at a position forward of the pivot coupling of the first rear swing arm with the first bracket. The second spring 88 is attached to the first rear swing arm 46 and the mounting frame 12 at the second bracket 32 in the same manner as the first spring is attached to the first rear swing arm 44 and mounting frame.

Each spring 88 is caused to at least partially wrap around the saddle portion 92 of its respective spring saddle 90 when the storage bin 16 is lifted into the raised, stowed position, thereby increasing the tension in each spring. The tension in each spring 88 acts on the swing means 14 to assist in lifting and lowering the storage bin 16. The tension in each spring 88 can be adjusted by attaching the end 86 of the spring to the spring saddle 90 at a different hole 96.

With reference now to FIGS. 4 and 8, in a second version, the assist means 18 includes a motor 98 having rotating shaft 100 and at least one flexible coupling element 102, such as strap connected at opposite ends to the mounting frame 12 and the rotating shaft. The motor 98 is attached to a rear end 104 of the storage bin 16. Preferably, the shaft 100 is double ended and attached to each end is a spool 106. A first coupling element 102 is attached at one end to a first spool with the other end of the coupling element attached to the mounting frame 12. A second coupling element 102 is attached at one end to the other spool 106 with the other end of the coupling element also attached to the mounting frame 12. The coupling elements 102, can be attached to the mounting frame 12 at a cross member 108 which spans between the first and second brackets 30 and 32 at a location forward of the pivotal coupling of the rear swing arms 44 and 46 with the mounting frame 12. The motor 98 is operated to wind and unwind each coupling element 102 onto and off of its respective spool 106, thereby effecting the lowering and raising of the storage bin 16. The motor 98 can be controlled by a switch 110 that operates to connect and disconnect the motor to a power supply 112.

Turn now to FIGS. 1 and 7, the latch means 114 includes a spring loaded latch 116 and a latch receiver 118. The spring loaded latch 116 includes a latch mounting bracket 119 for attaching the spring loaded latch to the horizontal surface 34 at a forward distance of the mounting frame 12. The latch receiver 118 is secured to the storage bin 16 at a front end 120 such that when the storage bin is raised and in the stowed position, the spring loaded latch 116 is captured by the latch receiver, thereby locking the storage bin in the raised, stowed position. The storage bin 16 is released from the spring loaded latch 116 by pulling upon a handle 122 which releases the spring loaded latch from the receiver 118, thereby allowing the storage bin 16 to swing from the raised, stowed position to the lower, rearward position.

A number of embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. An overhead storage unit comprising:

an open top bin having a front, a rear and two side walls;

a mounting frame adapted to be mounted to an underside of a horizontal surface, said mounting frame having a forward end and rearward end;

a swing means for allowing said bin to swing from a raised position adjacent the horizontal surface to a lowered position below and rearward of said raised position, said swing means is attached to and between said frame and said bin;

an assist means for providing mechanical assistance in swinging said bin from said raised position to said lowered position and back to said raised position, said assist means connected to said mounting frame; and

a latch means for securing said bin in said raised position.

2. The overhead storage unit of claim 1, wherein said swing means comprises:

first and second rear swing arms each having opposite ends, one of said opposite ends of each of said first and second swing arms being pivotally attached to said rear of said bin, and the other of said opposite ends of each of said first and second swing arms being pivotally attached to said rearward end of said mounting frame; and

first and second front swing arms each having opposite ends, one of said opposite end of each of said first and second front swing arms being pivotally attached to said front of said bin, and the other of said opposite ends of each of said first and second front swing arms being pivotally attached to said forward end of said mounting frame.

3. The overhead storage unit of claim 1, wherein said assist means comprises:

first and second spring saddles, said first spring saddle being fixedly attached to said first rear swing arm, and said second spring saddle being fixedly attached to said second rear swing arm;

first and second springs each having opposite ends, one end of said first spring being attached to said first spring saddle with the other end of said first spring being attached to said mounting frame approximate and forward of the pivotal attachment between said first rear swing arm with said mounting frame, and one end of said second spring being attached to said second spring saddle with the other end of said second spring being attached to said mounting frame approximate and forward of the pivot attachment between said second rear swing arm with said mounting frame.

4. The overhead storage unit of claim 3, wherein said first rear swing arm and said first front swing arm are each pivotally attached to said mounting frame and said bin such that they each lie in a common plane that is perpendicular to said front and said rear of said bin, and wherein said second rear swing arm and said second front swing arm are each pivotally attached to said mounting frame and said bin such that they each line in a common plane that is perpendicular to said front and said rear of said bin, and further wherein said first and second rear swing arms are parallel to each other and said first and second front swing arms are parallel to each other.

5. The overhead storage unit of claim 4, wherein said first rear swing arm and said first front swing arm are each pivotally attached to one side of said two side walls of said bin and said second rear swing arm and said second front swing arm are each pivotally attached to the other side of said two side walls of said bin.

6. The overhead storage unit of claim 1, wherein said latch comprises:

a spring loaded latch;

a latching mounting bracket for attaching said spring loaded latch to the horizontal surface; and

a latching receiver attached to said bin such that said latch receiver receives said spring loaded latch when said bin is in said raised position.

7. The overhead storage unit of claim 1, wherein said assist means comprises:

a motor having a shaft; and

a first coupling member having opposite ends one of said opposite ends attached to said mounting frame with the other end attached to said shaft of said motor such that said coupling is wound onto and off of said shaft to raise and lower said bin.

8. The overhead storage unit of claim 1, wherein said assist means comprising:

a motor having a double ended shaft;

first and second spools, said first spool being attached to one end of said double ended shaft and said second spool being attached to the other end of said double ended shaft;

a first coupling member having opposite ends one of said opposite ends attached to said mounting frame with the other end attached to said first spool;

a second coupling member having opposite ends one of said opposite ends attached to said mounting frame with the other end attached to said second spool; and

wherein said motor is operable to wind and unwind said first and second coupling members onto said first and second spools respectively to effect the raising and lower said bin.

9. The overhead storage unit of claim 8, wherein said first and second coupling members are straps.

10. An overhead storage unit comprising:

an open top bin having a front, a rear and first and second side walls;

a mounting frame adapted to be mounted to an underside of a horizontal surface, said mounting frame including first and second side brackets one each approximate to said first side wall and said second side wall, respectively, of said bin, each of said two side brackets having a forward end and a rearward end;

first and second rear swing arms each having opposite ends, one of said opposite ends of said first rear swing arm being pivotally attached to said first side wall at said rear of said bin and the other end of said opposite ends of said first swing arm being pivotally attached to said first side bracket at said rearward end, and one of said opposite ends of said second rear swing arm being pivotally attached to said second wall at said rear end of said bin and the other end of said opposite ends of said second rear swing arm being pivotally attached to said second side bracket at said rearward end;

first and second front swing arms each having opposite ends, one of said opposite ends of said first front swing arm being pivotally attached to said first side wall at said front of said bin and the other end of said opposite end of said first front swing arm being pivotally attached to said first side bracket at said forward end, and one of said opposite ends of said second front swing arm being pivotally attached to said second wall at said front end of said bin and the other end of said opposite ends of said second front swing arm being pivotally attached to said second side bracket at said forward end.

an open top bin having a front, a rear and two side walls; an assist means for providing mechanical assistance in swinging said bin from said raised position to said lowered position and back to said raised position, said assist means connected to said mounting frame; and

a latch means for securing said bin in said raised position.

11. The overhead bin storage device of claim 10, wherein said assist means comprises:

first and second spring saddles, said first spring saddle being fixedly attached to said first rear swing arm, and said second spring saddle being fixedly attached to said second rear swing arm;

first and second springs each having opposite ends, one end of said first spring being attached to said first spring saddle with the other end of said first spring being attached to said mounting frame approximate and forward of the pivotal attachment between said first rear swing arm with said mounting frame, and one end of said second spring being attached to said second spring saddle with the other end of said second spring being attached to said mounting frame approximate and forward of the pivot attachment between said second rear swing arm with said mounting frame.

12. The overhead storage device of claim 10, wherein said assist means comprising:

a motor having a double ended shaft;

first and second spools, said first spool being attached to one end of said double ended shaft and said second spool being attached to the other end of said double ended shaft;

a first flexible coupling member having opposite ends one of said opposite ends attached to said mounting frame with the other end attached to said first spool;

a second flexible coupling member having opposite ends one of said opposite ends attached to said mounting frame with the other end attached to said second spool; and

wherein said motor is operable to wind and unwind said first and second coupling members onto said first and second spools respectively to effect the raising and lower said bin.

13. The overhead storage unit of claim 10, wherein said latch comprises:

a spring loaded latch;

a latching mounting bracket for attaching said spring loaded latch to the horizontal surface; and

a latching receiver attached to said bin such that said latch receiver receives said spring loaded latch when said bin is in said raised position.

14. The over head storage unit of claim 10, wherein said first rear swing arm and said first front swing arm are each pivotally attached to said mounting frame and said bin such that they each lie in a common plane that is perpendicular to said front and said rear of said bin, and wherein said second rear swing arm and said second front swing arm are each pivotally attached to said mounting frame and said bin such that they each line in a common plane that is perpendicular to said front and said rear of said bin, and further wherein said first and second rear swing arms are parallel to each other and said first and second front swing arms are parallel to each other.