STORAGE SYSTEM

A storage system for organizing items for use in either a first or a second mount is provided. The first and second mounts each have a hook. The hook has a hook opening. In the first mount the hook opening is generally at the top of hook. In the second mount the hook opening is generally at the bottom of the hook. A bin includes a back wall having a catch fixedly disposed on the upper edge of the back wall. The catch includes a first elongated member spaced apart from a second elongated member so as to form a slot. The catch is configured to fittingly engage opening of the second mount. The slot configured to engage the hook of the second mount. The bin includes a grated bottom and a divider with a plug adapted to fit the apertures of the grated bottom.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61/450,474 filed on Mar. 8, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a storage system. More particularly the invention relates to a storage system for use in a medical facility having one of either a first mount or a second mount.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Storage systems for use in medical facilities have unique standards which are not necessarily imposed in other environments. For instance, storage systems in medical facilities must be configured so as to allow the hospital staff quick access to various items so as to reduce the time spent in locating items for medical services. Other considerations include sanitation. Namely, it is desirable to have a storage system which does not collect dust and is easily cleaned.

Currently hospitals use one of two mounts for mounting bins. Both the first and second mounts include a planar surface and a hook. The planar surface has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface is adapted to be mounted onto a wall. The hook is mounted onto the second surface. The hook includes an elongated body which is spaced apart from the second surface so as to form a hook opening.

In the first mount, the elongated body extends upwardly so as to place the opening generally at the top of the elongated body. In the second mount the elongated body extends downwardly so as to place the opening generally at the top of the elongated body.

The first mount and the second mount each have different bins to accommodate the different hooks. Namely, a first bin includes a slotted back member adapted to fit the elongated body of the hook. A second bin includes a plug adapted to engage the opening of the hook.

The first mount has been used prior to the second mount, and currently many hospitals are changing from the first mount to the second mount. A benefit of the second mount relative to the first mount is that the elongated body of the hook also serves as a cover for the opening. In the first mount the opening is exposed. In instances where the first mount is not covered, dust may settle therein therefore making cleaning of the mount more difficult relative to the second mount.

Thus the trend among hospitals to transition from the first mount to the second mount will continue. Accordingly, it remains desirable to have a bin which may be adapted for use in either of the first or second mount. It is further desirable to have a bin which is configured to reduce the area in which dust may settle. It is further desirable to have a storage system which has bins allowing easy access to the items contained therein. It is further desirable to have a storage system wherein space may be maximized by allowing the bins to be place adjacent to each other, yet have the opening exposed sufficiently for insert and extract of items. It is further desirable to have a storage system with a device to help hospital staff organize and identify the status of items, specifically an inventory status. It is further desirable to have a storage system wherein bin space may be selectively configured to accommodate items of different sizes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, a storage system for organizing items for use with one of either a first mount or a second mount is provided. The first and second mounts each have a planar surface and a hook. The planar surface includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface is adapted to be mounted onto a wall. The hook is mounted onto and fixedly disposed onto the second surface. The hook includes an elongated body spaced apart from the second surface so as to form a hook opening. In the first mount the elongated body extends upwardly so as to place the opening generally at the top of the elongated body. In the second mount the elongated body extends downwardly so as to place the opening generally at the bottom of the elongated body, wherein the elongated body serves as a shield preventing dust and debris from settling within the opening.

The storage system further includes a bin having a front wall, a back wall, and a pair of side walls. The back wall includes a catch fixedly disposed on the upper edge of the back wall. The catch has a first elongated member spaced apart from a second elongated member so as to form a slot, the slot extending along a portion of the back wall of the bin. The bin further includes a spacer fixedly formed onto the bottom of the back wall.

The catch is configured to fittingly engage the opening of the hook of the first mount and the slot is configured to engage the elongated body of the hook of the second mount. The bin may further include a bottom wall formed between the bottom ends of the front, back, and side walls. The bottom wall may further include a plurality of apertures. Each of the plurality of apertures is evenly sized and each of the plurality of apertures is evenly spaced apart from each other so as to form a grated bottom.

The bin may further include a divider. The divider includes a panel. The panel has a bottom edge opposite a top edge and a pair of side edges extending between distal ends of respective top and bottom edges. The divider further includes a plug fixedly disposed on the bottom edge of the divider. The plug is configured to fittingly engage each one of the plurality of apertures. Accordingly, the divider may be selectively mounted into the bin so as to form desired spaces within the bin walls. It should be appreciated that the divider may extend between either the front and back walls of the divider or may extend between respective side walls of the bin.

The plug may include four walls so as to be generally square. Each of the four walls may be angled inwardly so as to taper from the bottom edge of the divider to the free end of the plug. The tapered shape facilitates the insertion and removal of the divider with respect to the grated bottom wall of the bin.

The bin may further include a placard. The placard includes a second planar surface and a second catch. The second catch has a first wall and a second wall. The first wall is disposed on the top edge of the second planar surface and extends outwardly therefrom. The first wall is generally orthogonal to the second planar surface. The second wall is disposed on the distal edge of the first wall and extends generally downward. The first wall is generally parallel to the second planar surface so as to form a second slot. The second slot is configured to receive a top portion of the front wall.

The placard may include indicia so as to indicate the status of items disposed in the bin. Accordingly, the system provides for a bin which is adapted to be used in either one of the first or second mount so as to facilitate transition from a second mount system to a first mount system. Further the bin includes a grated bottom so as to reduce dust collection. Further, the storage system includes a removable divider which is operable to selectively configure the bin for use with items. Furthermore, the system provides users with a way of easily recognizing the status of the items in a particular bin.

In a second preferred embodiment, the spacer is an elongated member having a plurality of gaps. The system further includes a support. The support may be formed of a rigid and durable material. The support includes a first elongated portion and a second elongated portion generally orthogonal to the first elongated portion. The first elongated portion is configured to fit within one of the gaps of the elongated support. The second elongated portion provides a support surface for the bottom wall of the bin. The first elongated portion includes a support catch. The support catch is formed onto the free end of the first elongated support. The support catch includes a first catch member spaced apart from a second catch member so as to form a support slot, the support slot extends along a portion of the back surface of the first elongated support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the storage system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an isolated view of a bin;

FIG. 3A is a cross sectional view showing the bin adapted for use in the second mount;

FIG. 3B is a cross sectional view of the bin of FIG. 3A used in a first mount;

FIG. 4 is an isolated view showing the tapered walls of the plug engaged with an aperture of the bottom wall of a bin; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a bin and a bracket;

FIG. 6a is a cross sectional view of the bin and bracket mounted to a second mount; and

FIG. 6b is a cross sectional view of the bin and bracket mounted to a first mount.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a storage assembly is provided. The storage system 10 is operable to organize items and may be used with one of either a first mount 12 or a second mount 14. The mounts 12, 14 may be formed of a durable and rigid material such as a steel or steel composite, or a plastic such as a hardened and chemically treated polypropylene. The first and second mounts 12, 14 each have a planar surface 16 and a hook 18. The planar surface 16 includes a first surface 20 opposite a second surface 22. The first surface 20 is adapted to be mounted onto a wall (not shown). The hook 18 is mounted onto the second surface 22. The hook 18 includes an elongated body 26 spaced apart from the second surface 22 so as to form a hook 18 opening 28.

In the first mount 12 the elongated body 26 extends upwardly so as to place the opening 28 generally at the top of the elongated body 26. In the second mount 14 the elongated body 26 extends downwardly so as to place the opening 28 generally at the bottom of the elongated body 26. The mount may include a plurality of hooks 18, each of the hooks 18 disposed along an axis extending between sides of the planar surface 16 of the mount so as to form a row of hooks. The mounts 12, 14 may include a plurality of rows as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3A.

The storage system 10 includes a bin 30. The bin 30 has a front wall 32, a back wall 34, and a pair of side walls 36. The bin 30 may be formed of a composite plastic material and may be formed through an injection molding process. The back wall 34 includes a catch 38 fixedly disposed on the upper edge 40 of the back wall 34. The catch 38 has a first elongated member 42 spaced apart from a second elongated member 44 so as to form a slot 46. The catch 38 is configured to fittingly engage the opening 28 of the hook 18 of the second mount 14 and the slot 46 is configured to engage the elongated body 26 of the hook 18 of the first mount 12 as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3A, respectively.

The bin 30 may further include a spacer 48 fixedly formed on the bottom end 50 of the back wall 34. The spacer 48 includes a second elongated body 52. With reference now to FIG. 2, the second elongated body 52 is formed adjacent the bottom edge 54 of the back wall 34 and extends generally between side edges of the back wall 34. The second elongated body 52 has a contact surface 56 spaced apart and opposite the back wall 34. With reference now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the contact surface 56 is adapted to engage a portion of the hook 18 of either the first or second mount 12, 14.

Accordingly, the catch 38 suspends the bin 30 on either the either the first or second mount 12, 14. The contact surface 56 of the spacer 48 abuts against the first surface 20 of either the first or second mount 12, 14 so as to help retain the bin 30 in a generally upright manner.

The bin 30 further includes a bottom wall 58. The bottom wall 58 is disposed between the bottom ends 50 of the front, back, and side walls 32, 34, 36. The bottom wall 58 includes a plurality of apertures 60. Each of the plurality of apertures 60 is evenly sized and each of the plurality of apertures 60 is evenly spaced apart from each other so as to form a grated bottom 62.

With reference now to FIG. 2, a perspective view of the bottom wall 58 is provided. The bottom wall 58 includes a row 64 and column 66 of apertures 60 so as to form a matrix 68 of apertures 60. A row 64 has an equal number of apertures 60 as the columns 66 so as to form a square. Further, the grated bottom 62 reduces the surface area of the bottom wall 58 so as to reduce the collection of dust.

With reference again to FIG. 3A and FIG. 1, a divider 70 is provided. The divider 70 has a panel 72 having a bottom edge opposite a top edge and a pair of side edges. The divider 70 further includes a plug 74 fixedly disposed on the bottom edge 54 of the divider 70. The plug 74 is configured to fittingly engage each one of the plurality of apertures 60. The panel 72 is as long as the distance between opposing portions of either of the pair of side walls 36 or the front and back wall 32, 34.

With reference to FIG. 1, the divider 70 is shown configured to separate the bin 30 into two portions 76, 78 wherein the divider 70 extends between opposing portions of the front and back wall 32, 34. With reference to FIG. 3A, a divider 70 is shown extending between opposing side walls 36 of the bin 30, so as to form two compartments. The divider 70 may be mounted within the bin 30 by simply placing the plug 74 into a desired aperture 60.

The plug 74 is generally square shaped and includes four walls 80. Each of the four walls 80 is angled inwardly so as to form a tapered side from the bottom edge 54 of the divider 70 to the free end of the plug 74. The divider 70 may further include a lip 82 extending along a top portion of the top edge of the panel 84. The portion of the lip 82 is spaced apart from the panel 72 so as to form a slot 83. The slot 83 is configured to receive an upper edge of one of the pair of side panels 72. Thus the divider 70 may be stored within the bin 30 and pushed up against one of the side walls 36.

With reference again to FIG. 1, a placard 86 is provided. The placard 86 has a second planar surface 88 and a second catch 90. The second catch 90 has a first wall 92 and a second wall 94. The first wall 92 is disposed on the top edge of the second planar surface 88. The first wall 92 is generally orthogonal to the second planar surface 88. The second wall 94 is disposed on the distal edge of the first wall 92 and extends generally downward. The first wall 92 is generally parallel to the second planar surface 88 so as to form a second slot 96. The second slot 96 is adapted to receive a top portion of the front wall 32.

The placard 86 may further include indicia formed on the exposed surface of the placard 86. The indicia may be operable to identify the nature of the items disposed within the bin 30. Alternatively, the placard 86 may be used to provide notice of the inventory so as to alert the staff that the contents of the bin 30 must be replenished.

The storage system 10 may include a plurality of bins 30. The bins 30 may be selectively mounted onto either the first or second mount 12, 14 and spaced apart from each other so as to provide for easy access to the contents of the bin 30. Furthermore, the grated bottom 62 allows for minimum surface area on which dust and debris may collect. Furthermore, the grated bottom 62 may facilitate removal of the debris by simply blowing the debris off or rinsing it off and allowing the debris to fall through the apertures 60 of the grated bottom 62 wall 58. Furthermore, the bin 30 may facilitate the transition of a hospital from the first mount 12 system to the second mount 14 system.

With reference now to FIG. 5, the spacer 48 is an elongated member having a plurality of gaps 98. The system 10 further includes a support member 100. The support member 100 may be formed of a rigid and durable material. The support includes a first elongated portion 102 and a second elongated portion 104 generally orthogonal to the first elongated portion 102. The first elongated portion 102 is configured to fit within one of the gaps 98 of the spacer 48. The second elongated portion 104 provides a support surface 106 for the bottom wall 58 of the bin 30. The first elongated portion 102 includes a support catch 108. The support catch 108 is formed onto the free end of the first elongated portion 102. The support catch 108 includes a first catch member 110 spaced apart from a second catch member 112 so as to form a support slot 114, the support slot 114 extends along a portion of the back surface of the first elongated support.

With reference now to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the support member 100 may be mounted to one of either the first or second mounts 12, 14. When mounted to the first mount 12, the support slot 114 of the support catch 108 is hooked onto the elongated member of the hook 18. When mounted onto the second mount 14, the support catch 108 is fitted within the hook 18 opening 28. The first elongated member 42 is fitted within a gap 98 so as to place the first elongated member 42 between the gaps 98 of the spacer 48. The second elongated portion 104 is in contact with the bottom of the bin 30. The unsupported weight of the bin 30 presses downwardly onto the second elongated portion 104, the second elongated portion 104 providing a cantilevered support for the bin 30 so as to keep the bin 30 substantially upright and bottom aligned along a horizontal axis.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is therefore to be understood that the terminology used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than limitation. Many modifications and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. For instance, the storage system 10 may include bins 30 having different dimensions.

Claims

1. A storage system for organizing items for use in with one of either a first mount or a second mount, the first and second mount each having a planar surface and a hook, the planar surface having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the first surface adapted to be mounted onto a wall, the hook mounted onto the second surface, the hook having an elongated body spaced apart from the second surface so as to form a hook opening, wherein in the first mount the elongated body extends upwardly so as to place the opening generally at the top of the elongated body, and wherein in the second mount the elongated body extends downwardly so as to place the opening generally at the bottom of the elongated body, the system comprising:

a bin having a front wall, a back wall and a pair of side walls, the back wall having a catch fixedly disposed on the upper edge of the back wall, the catch having a first elongated member spaced apart from a second elongated member so as to form a slot, the bin further including a spacer fixedly formed onto the bottom end of the back wall, the catch configured to fittingly engage the opening of the hook of the second mount and the slot configured to engage the elongated body of the hook of the first mount.

2. A bin having a front wall, a back wall and a pair of side walls, the back wall, the bin comprising:

a catch fixedly disposed on the upper edge of the back wall, the catch having first elongated member spaced apart from a second elongated member so as to form a slot; and
a spacer fixedly formed onto the bottom end of the back wall.

3. The bin as set forth in claim 2, wherein the spacer includes a second elongated body, the second elongated body having a contact surface spaced apart and opposite the back wall, the second elongated body extending generally along the length of the back wall.

4. A bin having a front wall, a back wall and a pair of side walls, the back wall, the bin comprising:

a bottom wall mounted between the bottom ends of the front, back and side walls, the bottom wall including a plurality of apertures, each of the plurality of apertures evenly sized, and each of the plurality of apertures evenly spaced apart from each other so as to form a grated bottom.

5. The bin as set forth in claim 4, further including a divider, the divider having a panel having a bottom edge, and a plug fixedly disposed on the bottom edge of the divider, the plug configured to fittingly engage each one of the plurality of apertures.

6. The bin as set forth in claim 5, wherein the panel length as the distance between opposing portions of either the pair of side walls, or the front wall and the back wall.

7. The bin as set forth in claim 4, wherein the plug includes four walls and is generally square, each of the four walls are angled inwardly so as to taper from the bottom edge of the divider to the free end of the plug.

8. The bin as set forth in claim 4, wherein the divider further includes a lip extending along a portion of the top edge of the panel, a portion of the lip spaced apart from the panel so as to form a slot, the slot configured to receive an upper edge either one of the pair of side walls.

9. The bin as set forth in claim 4, wherein the bottom wall includes a row and a column of apertures so as to form a matrix of apertures, the row having an equal number of apertures as the column, each of the plurality of apertures evenly sized.

10. A bin having a front wall, a back wall and a pair of side walls, the back wall, the bin comprising:

a placard having a second planar surface and a second catch, the second catch having a first wall and a second wall, the first wall disposed on the top edge of the second planar surface, the first wall generally orthogonal to the planar surface, the second wall disposed on the distal edge of the first wall, and generally parallel to the planar surface so as to form a second slot, the second slot adapted to receive a top portion of the front wall.

11. The storage system as set forth in claim 1, further including a support member having a first elongated portion and a second elongated portion generally orthogonal to the first elongated portion, the first elongated portion includes a support catch formed onto the free end of the first elongated portion, the support catch includes a first catch member spaced apart from a second catch member so as to form a support slot, the support catch configured to fittingly engage the opening of the hook of the second mount and the support slot configured to engage the elongated body of the hook of the first mount.

12. The storage system as set forth in claim 11 further including a spacer fixedly formed onto the bottom end of the back wall, the spacer having an elongated member and a plurality of gaps disposed along the elongated member, the first elongated portion is configured to fit within one of the gaps, the second elongated portion providing support surface for the bottom wall of the bin.

13. A storage system for organizing items for use in with one of either a first mount or a second mount, the first and second mount each having a planar surface and a hook, the planar surface having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the first surface adapted to be mounted onto a wall, the hook mounted onto the second surface, the hook having an elongated body spaced apart from the second surface so as to form a hook opening, wherein in the first mount the elongated body extends upwardly so as to place the opening generally at the top of the elongated body, and wherein in the second mount the elongated body extends downwardly so as to place the opening generally at the bottom of the elongated body, the system comprising:

a bin having a front wall, a back wall and a pair of side walls, the back wall having a catch fixedly disposed on the upper edge of the back wall, the catch having a first elongated member spaced apart from a second elongated member so as to form a slot, the bin further including a spacer fixedly formed onto the bottom end of the back wall, the catch configured to fittingly engage the opening of the hook of the second mount and the slot configured to engage the elongated body of the hook of the first mount;
a spacer fixedly formed onto the bottom end of the back wall;
a bottom wall mounted between the bottom ends of the front, back and side walls, the bottom wall including a plurality of apertures, each of the plurality of apertures evenly sized, and each of the plurality of apertures evenly spaced apart from each other so as to form a grated bottom;
a divider, the divider having a panel having a bottom edge, and a plug fixedly disposed on the bottom edge of the divider, the plug configured to fittingly engage each one of the plurality of apertures; and
a placard having a second planar surface and a second catch, the second catch having a first wall and a second wall, the first wall disposed on the top edge of the second planar surface, the first wall generally orthogonal to the second planar surface, the second wall disposed on the distal edge of the first wall, and generally parallel to the second planar surface so as to form a second slot, the second slot adapted to receive a top portion of the front wall.

14. The storage system as set forth in claim 13, wherein the spacer includes a second elongated body, the second elongated body having a contact surface spaced apart and opposite the back wall, the second elongated body extending generally along the length of the back wall.

15. The storage system as set forth in claim 13, wherein the panel length as the distance between opposing portions of either the pair of side walls, or the front wall and the back wall.

16. The storage system as set forth in claim 13, wherein the plug includes four walls and is generally square, each of the four walls are angled inwardly so as to taper from the bottom edge of the divider to the free end of the plug.

17. The storage system as set forth in claim 13, wherein the divider further includes a lip extending along a portion of the top edge of the panel, a portion of the lip spaced apart from the panel so as to form a slot, the slot configured to receive an upper edge either one of the pair of side walls.

18. The storage system as set forth in claim 13, wherein the bottom wall includes a row and column of apertures so as to form a matrix of apertures, the row having an equal number of apertures as the column, each of the plurality of apertures evenly sized.

19. The storage system as set forth in claim 13, further including a support member having a first elongated portion and a second elongated portion generally orthogonal to the first elongated portion, the first elongated portion includes a support catch formed onto the free end of the first elongated portion, the support catch includes a first catch member spaced apart from a second catch member so as to form a support slot, the support catch configured to fittingly engage the opening of the hook of the second mount and the support slot configured to engage the elongated body of the hook of the first mount.

20. The storage system as set forth in claim 13 further including a spacer fixedly formed onto the bottom end of the back wall, the spacer having an elongated member and a plurality of gaps disposed along the elongated member, the first elongated portion is configured to fit within one of the gaps, the second elongated portion providing support surface for the bottom wall of the bin.

Patent History
Publication number: 20120228300
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 6, 2011
Publication Date: Sep 13, 2012
Inventor: John Wertman (Howell, MI)
Application Number: 13/080,747
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Wall Supported Container (220/476); Bracket Interengaging Portion Includes A Hook (248/225.21)
International Classification: B65D 25/22 (20060101); A47B 96/06 (20060101);