Adjustable Storage System
An adjustable storage system provides a space efficient system of storage cabinets. The system includes a rectangular base platform with a pair of primary rails running along the length of the base platform. A plurality of primary storage cabinets is slidably engaged with the primary rails. Each of the primary storage cabinets has a pair of doors on one side and a handle on an adjacent side. A secondary rail running above the primary cabinets and parallel to the primary rails supports a plurality of secondary storage cabinets that are each slidably engaged with the secondary rail via a rolling mechanism. A rotating joint in the rolling mechanism allows the secondary cabinets to be rotated about the vertical axis for greater accessibility. The system can also include a counter top attached to a terminal end of the primary rails via a plurality of support beams.
This application claims priority to Provisional Application No. 61/655,492, filed Jun. 5, 2012.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to storage cabinet, and in particular, modular storage cabinets.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONResidential and commercial garages are commonly used for storage and work spaces. As space is always limited, there is always a desire to conserve space while maximizing the utility of the space. Often, the use of substantial amounts of space for storage precludes the availability of adequate space for work station. Conversely, the creation of work spaces (e.g. work benches) often comes at the cost of decreased storage space. Moreover, conventional storage systems (e.g. cabinets, closets, lockers) are often heavy and fixed, and do not make optimal use of space. Thus, there is a need for a space-efficient apparatus that combines work space and storage space in a versatile manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn adjustable storage system provides a space efficient system of storage cabinets. The system includes a rectangular base platform with a pair of primary rails running along the length of the base platform. A plurality of primary storage cabinets is slidably engaged with the primary rails. Each of the primary storage cabinets has a pair of doors on one side and a handle on an adjacent side. A secondary rail running above the primary cabinets and parallel to the primary rails supports a plurality of secondary storage cabinets that are each slidably engaged with the secondary rail via a rolling mechanism. A rotating joint in the rolling mechanism allows the secondary cabinets to be rotated about the vertical axis for greater accessibility. The system can also include a counter top attached to a terminal end of the primary rails via a plurality of support beams. Thus, the system provides a series of primary and secondary storage cabinets that can be moved along rails as needed to access particular cabinets. The ability to stack or nest the cabinets together allow for more efficient use of space because more cabinets can be fit in a space when they are stacked front-to-back instead of side-by-side as is conventional.
For purposes of reference to assist in describing the invention, the primary storage cabinets have a “front side” and an “outer side.” The front side is designated as the side of the cabinets that contains the doors 113. Thus, as shown in
Each primary cabinet includes a set of primary cabinet doors 113 which may be opened whenever ample space is available or made available by sliding the cabinets 110 along the primary rail 120 as necessary. The cabinet doors 113 may be opened with the primary door handle 112. The counter top 130 (also referred to herein as “work bench 130”) is attached to the a terminal end of the primary rail 120 via the support legs 131. Because the base platform 121 and primary rails 120 are connected, the counter top 130 is actually attached to the assembly of the base platform 121 and the primary rails 120. The counter top 130 is further supported by support beam 132, which extends from the base of the support leg 131 and the base platform 121. The counter top 130 may be utilized as a storage space or as a work bench. When used as a storage space, items can be stored on top of, and beneath, the counter top 130. Because counter top 130 provides an open storage space, the user would have quick and easy access to items stored on top of or beneath it. Moreover, the counter top 130 could be used as storage as well as a work bench by storing items beneath the counter top and leaving the surface of the counter top open as a work space. Thus, counter top 130 serves a dual purpose.
The sliding or movement of each cabinet is achieved by exerting a force (i.e. pushing or pulling) on the vertical sliding handles 115 attached to the side of each cabinet 108-110, in order to move the cabinet in the desired direction along the primary rail 120. As the cabinets 110 are moved along the primary rail 120, portions of the rail body 121 become exposed, such as the open area on the left side of base platform 121. As shown, the three primary cabinets 108-110 are nested or stacked together on one end (i.e. the right side) of the primary rail 120. This configuration provides an open area on base platform 121, i.e. between the counter top 130 and storage cabinet 110. This space can be used to store additional materials, particularly materials for which quick and easy access is desired. The space can also be used and a standing area for additional access to the counter top 130, which may be advantageous when using countertop 130 as a work station. In particular, this space allows multiple people to simultaneously utilize the counter top 130. Finally, the open space could be preserved (i.e. left empty) in order to allow easy access to the contents of primary storage cabinet 110.
The secondary rail 460 is supported at each end by a supporting wall mount 461 that is attached to the wall for structural support and stability. The secondary storage cabinets 448-450 each have a sliding handle 455 that is used to move the respective cabinet alone the secondary rail 460. As indicated by the motion arrow 402, the leftmost secondary storage cabinet 450 has been slid or moved to the far left towards counter top 430 and away from secondary storage cabinets 449 and 448. As with the movement of the primary cabinets 408-410, the remaining secondary storage cabinets remain nested, while a space is formed between them and storage cabinet 450. In this configuration, a user can access secondary storage cabinet 449 as shown in
As with the primary storage cabinets, the secondary storage cabinets have a “front side” and an “outer side.” The front side is designated as the side of the cabinets that contains the doors 453. Thus, as shown in
While there have been described herein what are considered to be preferred and exemplary embodiments of the present invention, other modifications of the invention shall be apparent to those skilled in the art from the teachings herein. For example, the relative dimensions of the device may be altered while keeping within the spirit and teachings of the invention. It is therefore desired to be secured, in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. An adjustable storage system comprising:
- a rectangular base platform having two opposing longer sides and two opposing shorter sides;
- a pair of rails attached to, and running along the length of the longer sides of the base platform;
- a plurality of primary storage cabinets slidably engaged with and resting upon the primary rails,
- wherein each of said primary storage cabinets has a pair of doors on a front side and a handle on an adjacent outer side;
- wherein the front side of each primary storage cabinet is parallel to the shorter sides of the platform base.
2. (canceled)
3. An adjustable storage system comprising:
- a rectangular base platform having two opposing longer sides and two opposing shorter sides;
- a pair of rails attached to, and running along the length of the longer sides of the base platform;
- a plurality of primary storage cabinets slidably engaged with and resting upon the primary rails,
- wherein each of said primary storage cabinets has a pair of doors on a front side and a handle on an adjacent outer side;
- wherein the front side of each primary storage cabinet is parallel to the shorter sides of the platform base;
- a counter top rigidly attached to a terminal end of the rails via a plurality of support beams, wherein the plurality of storage cabinets are all movable with respect to the counter top.
4. An adjustable storage system comprising:
- a rectangular base platform having two opposing longer sides and two opposing shorter sides;
- a pair of primary rails attached to, and running along the length of the longer sides of the base platform;
- a plurality of primary storage cabinets slidably engaged with and resting upon the primary rails,
- wherein each of said primary storage cabinets has a pair of doors on a front side and a handle on an adjacent outer side;
- wherein the front side of each primary storage cabinet is parallel to the shorter sides of the platform base;
- a secondary rail running above the primary cabinets and parallel to the primary rails;
- a plurality of secondary storage cabinets slidably engaged with the secondary rail via a rolling mechanism, the secondary storage cabinets being positioned above the primary storage cabinets, wherein each of said secondary storage cabinets has a pair of doors on a front side and a handle on an adjacent outer side; and
- wherein the front side of each secondary storage cabinets is parallel to the shorter sides of the platform base.
5. The adjustable storage system of claim 4 wherein the rolling mechanism is comprised of an upper and lower portion that are rotatably connected, thereby allowing the secondary storage cabinets to be rotated about a vertical axis.
6. The adjustable storage system of claim 4 further comprising a counter top attached to a terminal end of the primary rails via a plurality of support beams.
7. An adjustable overhead storage system comprising:
- an overhead support rail having a lower surface with a channel configured to reversibly receive
- a plurality of storage cabinets, wherein said support rail is configured to be affixed to a wall or ceiling;
- a plurality of storage cabinets slidably and reversibly engaged with the rail via a rolling mechanism that is connected with a top surface of each storage cabinet;
- wherein each of said storage cabinets has a pair of doors on a front side and a handle on an adjacent outer side;
- wherein the storage cabinets are connected with the support rail such that the front of each storage cabinet faces the back of the adjacent storage cabinet;
- wherein each storage cabinet is movable with respect to each other storage cabinet and the rail; and
- wherein storage cabinets can be added or removed from the rail according to the storage capacity needs.
8. The adjustable storage system of claim 7 wherein the rolling mechanism is comprised of an upper and lower portion that are rotatably connected, thereby allowing the secondary storage cabinets to be rotated about a vertical axis.
Type: Application
Filed: May 24, 2013
Publication Date: Nov 27, 2014
Inventor: Michael Patrick Flynn (Rancho Santa Fe, CA)
Application Number: 13/901,973
International Classification: A47B 53/02 (20060101);