STORAGE RACK
A storage system includes a rear frame, a plurality of divider panels, and a plurality of shelving supports. The divider panels include a first divider panel and a second divider panel, each divider panel having a front vertical bar and a rear vertical bar, each divider panel being removably connected to the rear frame adjacent the rear vertical bar. The shelving supports are coupled to the divider panel by hoop and prong couplings. A plurality of U-shaped connectors are provided in spaced apart manner along the front vertical bars and the rear vertical bars of each divider panel. Each shelving support has a perimeter that defines corners, with each corner of each shelving support fitted inside a U-shaped connector. Alternatively, loops are provided along the vertical bars of each divider panel, and prongs are provided at the corners of the shelving supports.
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This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/214,871 filed Jun. 23, 2008. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/180,033 filed on May 20, 2009. These applications are fully incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to storage and organizational apparatus, and in particular, to a storage assembly that can be conveniently assembled for use and disassembled for transportation or storage.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Knock-down storage systems have been very popular in recent times. Knock-down storage refers to racks having modular components (e.g., shelves, compartments, connectors and support posts) that can be assembled and disassembled relatively quickly and conveniently, so that the user can (i) deploy the resulting storage system at any number of different locations, and/or (ii) re-configure the storage system by adding or omitting shelves, compartments and posts.
There are numerous knock-down storage systems that are available in the market. Unfortunately, most of these systems suffer from one of many drawbacks, but the most common problem relates to the convenience of assembling, and disassembling, the system. In addition, some connectors are difficult to use, or do not provide sufficient stability. The resulting system should simultaneously meet all of the following objectives: (i) it must allow stable and secure connection of the shelf or compartment to the post, (ii) it must be easy and convenient to assemble and disassemble, and (iii) it should have a simple construction to minimize production cost. Unfortunately, none of the currently-available knock-down storage systems meet all of these three objectives.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is an object of the present invention to provide a storage system that meets the objectives set forth above.
In order to accomplish the above-described and other objects of the present invention, the present invention provides a storage system comprising a rear frame, a plurality of divider panels. and a plurality of shelving supports (e.g., panels). The divider panels include a first divider panel and a second divider panel, each divider panel having a front vertical bar and a rear vertical bar, each divider panel being removably connected to the rear frame adjacent the rear vertical bar. The edges of the shelving supports are secured to the front vertical bars and the rear vertical bars of the divider panels using prong and hoop type couplings. In one embodiment, a plurality of U-shaped connectors is provided in spaced apart manner along the front vertical bars and the rear vertical bars of each divider panel. Each shelving support has a perimeter (e.g., four-sided configuration) that defines corners (e.g., four corners), with each corner of each shelving support fitted inside a U-shaped connector. In another embodiment, a plurality of loop-shaped connectors is provided in spaced apart manner along the front vertical bars and the rear vertical bars of each divider panel. Each shelving support has a four-sided configuration that defines four corners, with each corner having a prong extending therefrom. Each prong fits into a loop-shaped connector, forming a secure coupling between a corner of the shelving support and the associated vertical bar.
The shape of the footprint of the storage system may take various geometries (e.g., square, rectangle, triangle, etc.), with the shape of the perimeter of the shelving supports taking complementary geometries. The rear frame provides reinforcement to the maintain rigidity of the storage system. The rear frame may be one-piece, or in segments that can be coupled to form the rear frame.
The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
The present invention provides a storage system that has a simple construction, and which can be easily and conveniently assembled for use, and disassembled for storage, re-configuration or transportation. In addition, the connection for each panel or shelf is simple yet provides a stable support for the resulting system.
Referring to
As best shown in
Each divider panel 14, 16, 18 has the same configuration, and has a four-sided configuration defined by four bars 46, 48, 50, 52. The shelving panels 20 are securely coupled to the divider panels 14, 16 and 18 (i.e., to the vertical bars of the divider panels) using prong and hoop type couplings. When coupled to the divider panels, the frame 12 provides a rigid brace framework to define the overall box structure comprising the divider panels and shelving panels of the storage system 10.
In one embodiment, a plurality of U-shaped connectors is provided in spaced apart manner along the front and rear vertical bars 48 and 52 of the divider panels 14, 16 and 18. Each shelving panel has a four-sided configuration that defines four corners, with each corner of each shelving panel fitted inside a U-shaped connector. A plurality of U-shaped connectors 54 are welded or otherwise attached to the four bars 46, 48, 50, 52. For example, connectors 54 are attached to the four corners of the divider panels 14, 16 or 18, and additional connectors 54 are attached to the vertical bars 48 and 52. The connectors 54 are aligned so that a connector 54 on one vertical bar 48 is at the same level as a corresponding connector 54 on the other vertical bar 52 of the same divider panel. Shafts 44 extend rearwardly from the horizontal bars 46 and 50, with the shafts 44 adapted to be inserted into the opening 45 of the corresponding female connector 40, 42 for a friction-fit. An optional wall material 56 can be attached to or otherwise provided with the bars 46,48, 50, 52 in the same plane as the bars 46, 48, 50 52. The wall material 56 can be made of a cardboard material, plastic, fabric, metal or any material that can be used as a divider.
Each U-shaped connector 54 has a U-shaped body with enlarged opposite ends 58. The center of the U-shaped body is attached to the inner side of the corresponding bar 48 or 52 by welding or similar attachment techniques. Each connector 54 can be provided in the same material as the bars 46, 48, 50, 52.
Each shelving panel 20 has the same configuration, and has a four-sided configuration defined by four bars 60, 62, 64, 66. See
To assemble the system 10, the divider panels 14, 16, 18 are first attached to the rear frame 12 by inserting the shafts 44 of the divider panels 14, 16, 18 into the openings 45 of each corresponding female connector 40, 42. The shelving panels 20 can then be connected to each set of U-shaped connectors 54. Each set of U-shaped connectors 54 will include four such connectors 54 provided on two adjacent parallel divider panels 14 and 16, or 16 and 18. For example,
The user can choose to utilize or connect as many shelving panels 20 in whatever pattern he or she desires. For example, as shown in
To disassemble the system 10, the user simply lifts up the corners of each shelving panel 20 to disengage each shelving panel 20. The divider panels 14, 16, 18 can be disengaged from the rear frame 12 by merely pulling the shafts 44 of the divider panels 14, 16, 18 from the female connectors 40, 42 of each vertical bar 34, 36, 38. Then, the rear frame 12, the divider panels 14, 16, 18, and the shelving panels 20 can be stacked on top of each other for transportation or storage.
Thus, the U-shaped connectors 54 allow for quick and convenient assembly and disassembly, yet provides sufficient stability to the resulting system 10.
Instead of providing prongs (e.g., the U-shaped connectors) on the vertical bars of the divider panels, in another embodiment, a plurality of loop-shaped connectors is provided in spaced apart manner along the front vertical bars and the rear vertical bars of each divider panel. Each shelving panel has a four-sided configuration that defines four corners, with each corner having a prong extending therefrom. Each prong fits into a loop-shaped connector, forming a secure coupling between a corner of the shelving panel and the associated vertical bar.
Referring to
Four additional shelving panels 20 are provided between the additional divider panel 18 and 19. In this particular embodiment, the prong and hoop coupling between a shelving panel 120 and a divider panel (14, 16, 18) is similar to the U-shaped connector 54 shown in
The rear frame 112 in the storage system 110 is wider than the earlier embodiment, comprising an additional vertical bar 39 and additional top and bottom horizontal bars 130 and 132. When coupled to the divider panels, the frame 112 provides a rigid brace framework to define the overall box structure comprising the divider panels and shelving panels of the storage system 110. As illustrated in
In the embodiment of
When coupled to the divider panels, the frame 212 provides a rigid brace framework to define the overall box structure comprising the divider panels and shelving panels of the storage system 210. As illustrated in
The rear ends 354 of top and bottom horizontal bars 346 and 350 of the divider panels 380 and 382 are coupled to the vertical bar 356 of the frame 312 using 3-way corner couplers 358. The frame 312 provides reinforcement to the overall storage system 310, by interconnecting the two divider panels 380 and 382, so that the structure of the storage system 310 would be more rigid, compared to a structure in which the divider panels 380 and 382 are directly coupled without the vertical bar 356. Hoops or prongs are provided along the vertical bar 356. In the illustrated embodiment, at each corners of the shelving panels 320, a hoop or prong is provided, similar to the earlier embodiment, which couples to a complementary prong or hoop provided on the front vertical bar 348 of the divider panels 380 and 382 and vertical bar 356, in a manner similar to the previous embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, prongs 54 are provided along the front vertical bars 348 of the divider panels 380 and 382, and the vertical bar 356 of the rear frame 312, and hoops 372 are provided at the corners of each shelving panel.
It is noted that unlike the earlier embodiments, the hoops or prongs do not need to be provided in symmetric pairs at each location along the vertical bars (i.e., unlike the structure shown in
The shelving supports may be shelving panels as illustrated in the figures, or in other configurations, such as basket, buckets, racks, etc., to provide additional flexibility for a user to configure the storage system for desired usage. The bars found in the storage system in the various embodiments described herein may be solid or hollow bars (e.g., tubes), which may have a circular, square, rectangular or other cross-sectional geometry.
While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.
Claims
1. A storage system, comprising:
- at least two divider panels;
- a plurality of shelving supports between the divider panels, wherein edge of each shelving support is securely coupled to the divider panels using prong and hoop couplings; and
- a frame coupled to the divider panels, interconnecting the divider panels to brace the divider panels to form a rigid structure.
2. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the frame is removably coupled to the divider panels.
3. The storage system of claim 2, wherein the frame has a plurality of female connectors, and each divider panel has an end that is fitted inside one of the female connectors.
4. The storage system of claim 2, wherein the frame is removably coupled to edges of the divider panels.
5. The storage system of claim 4, wherein the frame is removably coupled to top and bottom corners along same outward facing edges of the divider panels.
6. The storage system of claim 2, wherein the divider panels each has a first vertical bar and a second vertical bar, and wherein the frame is removably coupled to the divider panels adjacent to at least one of the first and second vertical bars of both divider panels.
7. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises more than one section coupled together.
8. The storage system of claim 7, wherein each section comprised a straight segment, and wherein the segments of the more than one section are coupled together using corner couplers.
9. The storage system of claim 1, wherein each shelving support is coupled to the divider panels via corners of each shelving support to vertical edges of the divider panels.
10. The storage system of claim 9, wherein each corner of each shelving support is provided with a hoop, and complementary prongs are provided along vertical edges of the divider panels, and wherein a prong is inserted into a hoop to form a secure coupling.
11. The storage system of claim 9, wherein each corner of each shelving support is provided with a prong, and complementary hoops are provided along vertical edges of the divider panels, and wherein a prong is inserted into a hoop to form a secure coupling.
12. The storage system of claim 11, wherein the prongs are each in the form of a U-shaped connector having a U-shaped body with opposite enlarged ends.
13. The storage system of claim 12, wherein the vertical edges of the divider panels are defined by vertical bars, and wherein each U-shaped connector is attached to a vertical bar of a divider panel at about the center of the U-shaped connector.
14. The storage system of claim 13, wherein the U-shaped connectors along the first vertical bar of each divider panel are provided at the same level as the U-shaped connectors along the second vertical bar of the corresponding divider panel, so that when all the corners of a shelving support are fitted inside U-shaped connectors from two adjacent divider panels, the shelving support is oriented at the same horizontal level.
15. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the divider panels and shelving supports define a plurality of storage spaces, with each storage space defined by two adjacent divider panels and two adjacent shelving supports positioned between the two adjacent divider panels.
16. The storage system of claim 15, wherein each divider panel has a perimeter defined by the first and second vertical bars, as well as first and second horizontal bars, and wherein each divider panel includes a wall material extending within the perimeter defined.
17. The storage system of claim 16, wherein each shelving support has a perimeter defined by bars, wherein each shelving support includes a planar material extending within the perimeter defined.
18. The storage system of claim 17, wherein each shelving support comprises at least one of triangular shape and rectangular shape.
19. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the divider panels are interchangeable with each other.
20. The storage system of claim 19, wherein each divider panel is symmetrical with respect to both planar sides of each panel.
21. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises at least one vertical segment, to which the divider panels are coupled.
22. A knock-down storage system, comprising:
- a plurality of interchangeable divider panels;
- a plurality of shelving supports; and
- a frame,
- wherein the storage system is assembled by coupling the frame to the divider panels, to interconnect the divider panels to brace the divider panels to form a rigid structure, and coupling the shelving supports, wherein edge of each shelving support is securely coupled to the divider panels using prong and hoop couplings.
Type: Application
Filed: May 20, 2010
Publication Date: Oct 7, 2010
Applicant: SEVILLE CLASSICS, INC. (Torrance, CA)
Inventor: Li-Han HSU (Torrance, CA)
Application Number: 12/784,458
International Classification: A47B 47/00 (20060101); A47B 55/00 (20060101);