STORAGE SYSTEMS
Disclosed are various embodiments of storage systems. In some embodiments, the storage system includes an upper frame, a guide tube that supports the upper frame, a pivot arm, and a side support. A first end of the pivot arm is rotatably coupled to the guide tube, and a second end of the pivot arm is rotatably coupled to a fixed pivot point. The side support includes a guide post that is inserted into the guide tube. The guide tube is configured to move along the guide post.
This application is a continuation of copending U.S. utility application entitled, “Storage Systems” having application Ser. No. 15/278,858, filed Sep. 28, 2016, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUNDShelves can be used to store and display various types of items. For example, shelves in an automotive mechanic's garage can be used to store and display tools and automotive parts. In a warehouse, shelves can be used to store items that can be later retrieved and shipped to other locations. As another example, shelves in a residence can be used to store items such as food and cleaning products.
Shelves can be mounted on a support structure that positions at least some of the shelves, and items stored thereon, above the ground surface. If a shelf is high enough above the ground surface, it may be difficult for a person or machinery to access and retrieve items that are stored on the shelf.
Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
The present disclosure relates to various types of storage systems. With reference to
The storage system 100 can include an upper frame 103 and a lower frame 106. As will be described in further detail below, the upper frame 103 can be lowered from the position shown in
The upper frame 103 can include various types of components or structures that can be attached to the upper frame 103. For example, the embodiment shown includes shelves 109. In various embodiments, the positioning of the shelves 109 within the upper frame 103 can be adjusted. To this end, the upper frame 103 can include shelf brackets that can be mounted at various heights relative to the upper frame 103. In alternative embodiments, the upper frame 103 can include a floor or furniture, such as a couch, a bed, or seating.
The upper frame 103 can also include a ceiling bar 113. The ceiling bar 113 can prevent the storage of items that extend above the ceiling bar 113.
In some embodiments, the upper frame 103 can include a mounting surface, such as a pegboard, that facilitates mounting and displaying items. For example, a mounting surface can be positioned on the front side or the rear side of the upper frame 103, and items can be mounted or hung to the mounting surface.
Similar to the upper frame 103, the lower frame 106 can include one or more shelves 116, and the positions of the shelves 116 within the lower frame 106 can be adjusted using shelf brackets. The lower frame 106 can also include a mounting surface (not shown), such as a pegboard positioned on the front side or the rear side of the lower frame 106. In addition, the lower frame 106 can include a ceiling bar 117 that can prevent items that extend above the ceiling bar 117 from being stored in the lower frame 106.
In some embodiments, the lower frame 106 can be omitted. For example, instead of having the lower frame 106, the storage system 100 can include vertical supports that mount to a wall or other structure, similar to the embodiment depicted in
The storage system 100 can also include side supports 119a-119b. The side supports 119a-119b can include vertical guide posts 123a-123b and feet 126a-126b. In the embodiment shown in
As illustrated in
The guide tubes 133a-133b can support the upper frame 103 by being attached directly or indirectly to the upper frame 103. For example, the guide tubes 133a-133b can be welded directly to the upper frame 103.
As shown in
The guide tubes 133a-133b can be attached to upper pivot arms 136a-136b and lower pivot arms 139a-139b, respectively. In the embodiment shown in
The ends of the upper pivot arms 136a-136b that are distal relative to the guide tubes 133a-133b can be rotatably mounted to respective fixed points 143a-143b. For example, in the embodiment shown in
Similarly, the ends of the lower pivot arms 139a-139b that are distal relative to the guide tubes 133a-133b can be rotatably mounted to respective fixed points 146a-146b. In the embodiment shown, the distal ends of the lower pivot arms 139a-139b are rotatably mounted to a bar that is attached to the rear of the lower frame 106. Alternatively, the distal ends of the lower pivot arms 139a-139b can be rotatably mounted to fixed points 143a-143b located on a wall or other support structure positioned behind the storage system 100.
The storage system 100 can include various types of structures that can cause the guide tubes 133a-133b to move vertically along the guide posts 123a-123b of the side supports 119a-119b. For example, the embodiment shown in
The motor 163 can rotate the rod 156, which is coupled to the cable drums 153a-153b. One end of each of the cables 149a-149b can be attached to a respective cable drum 153a-153b. In addition, the other end of each of the cables 149a-149b can be attached to a respective guide tube 133a-133b via one or more pulleys 159a-159b. Thus, when the motor 163 rotates the rod 156, the cables 149a-149b can wind or unwind around the cable drums 153a-153b. By winding or unwinding the cables 149a-149b around the cable drums 153a-153b, the cables 149a-149b can cause the guide tubes 133a-133b to move vertically along the guide posts 123a-123b of the side supports 119a-119b. Although
In an alternative embodiment, the storage system 100 can include actuators that move the guide tubes 133a-133b vertically along the guide posts 123a-123b. For example, linear actuators can be attached to the guide tubes 133a-133b and the side supports 119a-119b and cause the guide tubes 133a-133b to move along the guide posts 123a-123 when the linear actuators extend or retract.
In an alternative embodiment, one or more motors can be mounted to one or more of the upper pivot arms 136a-136b or the lower pivot arms 139a-139b. The motors can rotate the upper pivot arms 136a-136 and lower pivot arms 139a-139b about the respective fixed points 143a-143b and 146a-146b, thereby causing the guide tubes 133a-133b to move vertically along the guide posts 123a-123b of the side supports 119a-119b.
Next, a general description of an example of the operation of the storage system 100 is provided. The following discussion assumes that the storage system 100 is first configured in the position shown in
With reference to
Because the upper pivot arms 136a-136b and the lower pivot arms 139a-139b are rotatably mounted to the guide tubes 133a-133b, and because the upper pivot arms 136a-136b and the lower pivot arms 139a-139a are also rotatably mounted to the fixed points 143a-143b and 146a-146b, moving the guide tubes 133a-133b down the guide posts 123a-123b can force the upper pivot arms 136a-136b and the lower pivot arms 139a-139b to rotate about the respective fixed points 143a-143b and 146a-146b.
As the upper pivot arms 136a-136b and the lower pivot arms 139a-139b rotate about the fixed points 143a-143b and 146a-146b while the guide tubes 133a-133b move down the guide posts 123a-123b, the upper pivot arms 136a-136b and the lower pivot arms 139a-139b can force the guide tubes 133a-133b, and thus the side supports 119a-119b, to move horizontally forward, away from the lower shelving frame 106.
Thus, when the storage system 100 is transformed from the first configuration shown in
With reference to
Moving the guide tubes 133a-133b to the positions shown in
As the upper pivot arms 136a-136b and the lower pivot arms 139a-139b rotate downward to become horizontal, the upper pivot arms 136a-136b and the lower pivot arms 139a-139b can force the guide tubes 133a-133b, and thus the side supports 119a-119b, to move further forward, away from the lower shelving frame 106. When the upper pivot arms 136a-136b and the lower pivot arms 139a-139b are horizontal as shown in
With reference to
Moving the guide tubes 133a-133b further down the guide posts 123a-123b can force the upper pivot arms 136a-136b and the lower pivot arms 139a-139b to further rotate downward about the respective fixed points 143a-143b and 146a-146b. As the upper pivot arms 136a-136b and the lower pivot arms 139a-139b rotate about the fixed points 143a-143b and 146a-146b from the position in
Accordingly, as shown in
The upper frame 103 can also be raised so that the storage system 100 moves to the configuration shown in
With reference to
The storage system 500 can include components that are similar to the components of the storage system 100. For example, the storage system 500 can include an upper frame 103, upper pivot arms 136a-136b, lower pivot arms 139a-139b, cables 149a-149b, cable drums 153a-153b, a rod 156, pulleys 159a-159b, and a motor 163.
The storage system 500 can also include rear supports 503a-503b. The rear supports 503a-503b can mount to a wall or another object that can maintain the rear supports 503a-503b in position. Although not included in the embodiment illustrated in
As shown in
Additionally, the upper pivot arms 136a-136b can be rotatably mounted to fixed points 143a-143b. In the embodiment shown in
Similar to the upper pivot arms 136a-136b, the lower pivot arms 139a-139b can be rotatably mounted to the upper frame 103. Additionally, the lower pivot arms 139a-139b can be rotatably mounted to fixed points 146a-146b. In the embodiment shown in
For the embodiment shown in
In alternative embodiments, other types of systems can cause the upper frame 103 to raise or lower. For example, motors attached to the upper pivot arms 136a-136b or the lower pivot arms 139a-139b can cause the upper pivot arms 136a-136b and the lower pivot arms 139a-139b to rotate and thereby raise or lower the upper frame 103.
Next, a general description of an example of the operation of the storage system 500 is provided. The following discussion assumes that the storage system 500 is configured in the position shown in
With reference to
Because the upper pivot arms 136a-136b and the lower pivot arms 139a-139b are rotatably mounted to the upper frame 103, and because the upper pivot arms 136a-136b and the lower pivot arms 139a-139a are also rotatably mounted to the fixed points 143a-143b and 146a-146b, unwinding the cables 149a-149b from the cable drums 153a-153b can cause the upper frame 103 to be lowered while the upper pivot arms 136a-136b and the lower pivot arms 139a 0 139b rotate about the fixed points 143a-143b and 146a-146b. In addition, as the upper pivot arms 136a-136b and the lower pivot arms 139a-139b rotate about the fixed points 143a-143b and 146a-146b, the upper pivot arms 136a-136b and the lower pivot arms 139a-139b can force the upper frame 103 forward, away from the rear supports 503a-503b. Thus, the upper frame 103 can remain vertical as the upper frame 103 moves vertically lower and horizontally forward from the position shown in
With reference to
Because the upper pivot arms 136a-136b and the lower pivot arms 139a-139b are rotatably mounted to the upper frame 103, and because the upper pivot arms 136a-136b and the lower pivot arms 139a-139a are also rotatably mounted to the fixed points 143a-143b and 146a-146b, the lowering of the upper frame 103 can cause the upper pivot arms 136a-136 and the lower pivot arms 139a-139b to rotate further about the fixed points 143a-143b and 146a-146b. Additionally, the upper pivot arms 136a-136b and the lower pivot arms 139a-139b can force the upper frame 103 to continue to move forward, away from the rear supports 503a-503b. As shown in
With reference to
To move the storage system 500 from the configuration in
Because the upper pivot arms 136a-136b and the lower pivot arms 139a-139b are rotatably mounted to the upper frame 103, and because the upper pivot arms 136a-136b and the lower pivot arms 139a-139a are also rotatably mounted to the fixed points 143a-143b and 146a-146b, the lowering of the upper frame 103 can cause the upper pivot arms 136a-136 and the lower pivot arms 139a-139b to rotate further about the fixed points 143a-143b and 146a-146b. Additionally, the upper pivot arms 136a-136b and the lower pivot arms 139a-139b can force the upper frame 103 to move backward, towards the rear supports 503a-503b. As shown in
The upper frame 103 can also be raised so that the storage system 500 moves to the configuration shown in
With reference to
The storage system 900 can include components that are similar to the components of the storage system 100 and the storage system 500. For example, the storage system 900 can include an upper frame 103, cables 149a-149b, cable drums 153a-153b, a rod 156, pulleys 159a-159b, and a motor 163. In addition, the storage system 900 can include rear supports 503a-503b. Although not depicted in
Additionally, the storage system 900 can include upper telescoping arms 903a-903b and lower telescoping arms 906a-906b. The upper telescoping arms 903a-903b and the lower telescoping arms 906a-906b can extend and retract. In some examples, the upper telescoping arms 903a-903b and the lower telescoping arms 906a-906b can include linear actuators, such as electric linear actuators or hydraulic linear actuators that can extend and retract the upper telescoping arms 903a-903b and the lower telescoping arms 906a-906b. In other embodiments, the upper telescoping arms 903a-903b and the lower telescoping arms 906a-906b can be passive arms that can extend or retract when pushed or pulled by another object.
In the embodiment depicted in
The upper telescoping arms 903a-903b and the lower telescoping arms 906a-906b can be attached to the guide tubes 133a-133b. In alternative embodiments, the upper telescoping arms 903a-903b and the lower telescoping arms 906a-906b can be attached to members of the upper frame 103. As will be described in further detail below, the upper telescoping arms 903a-903b and the lower telescoping arms 906a-906b can extend or retract to move the upper frame 103 horizontally.
In addition, the upper telescoping arms 903a-903b and the lower telescoping arms 906a-906b can be configured to move vertically along the rear supports 503a-503b. To this end, the rear supports 503a-503b can include tracks along which the upper telescoping arms 903a-903b and the lower telescoping arms 906a-906b can travel.
For the embodiment shown in
Next, a general description of an example of the operation of the storage system 900 is provided. The following discussion assumes that the storage system 900 is configured in the position shown in
With reference to
With reference to
The upper frame 103 can also be raised so that the storage system 900 can move to the configuration shown in
With reference to
The storage system 1200 can include components that are similar to the components of the storage system 100, the storage system 500, or the storage system 900. For example, the storage system 1200 can include an upper frame 103, cables 149a-149b, cable drums 153a-153b, a rod 156, pulleys 159a-159b, and a motor 163. In addition, the storage system 900 can include rear supports 503a-503b. Although not depicted in
Furthermore, the storage system 1200 can include upper telescoping arms 903a-903b and lower telescoping arms 906a-906b. As discussed above, the upper telescoping arms 903a-903b and the lower telescoping arms 906a-906b can extend and retract.
For the embodiment show in
The upper telescoping arms 903a-903b and the lower telescoping arms 906a-906b can also be configured to move vertically along the rear supports 503a-503b. To this end, the rear supports 503a-503b can include tracks along which the upper telescoping arms 903a-903b and the lower telescoping arms 906a-906b can travel.
For the embodiment shown in
Next, a general description of an example of the operation of the storage system 1200 is provided. The following discussion assumes that the storage system 1200 is configured in the position shown in
With reference to
With reference to
The upper frame 103 can also be raised so that the storage system 900 moves to the configuration shown in
Conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without other input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like are synonymous and are used inclusively, in an open-ended fashion, and do not exclude additional elements, features, acts, operations, and so forth. Also, the term “or” is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used, for example, to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list.
Disjunctive language, such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, Z,” unless indicated otherwise, is used in general to present that an item, term, etc., may be either X, Y, or Z, or any combination thereof (e.g., X, Y, and/or Z). Thus, such disjunctive language is not generally intended to, and should not, imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, or at least one of Z to each be present.
The above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are merely possible examples of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications can be made to the above-described embodiments without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. In addition, components and features described with respect to one embodiment can be included in another embodiment. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure.
Claims
1. A system, comprising:
- a movable frame;
- a support frame assembly that supports the movable frame;
- a first pivot arm having a proximal end and a distal end relative to the movable frame, the proximal end of the first pivot arm being rotatably coupled to the movable frame, the distal end of the first pivot arm being rotatably coupled to a first fixed pivot point proximate to the support frame assembly; and
- a second pivot arm having a proximal end and a distal end relative to the movable frame, the proximal end of the second pivot arm being rotatably coupled to the movable frame, the distal end of the second pivot arm being rotatably coupled to a second fixed pivot point proximate to the support frame assembly.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for moving the movable frame relative to the support frame assembly.
3. (canceled)
4. The system of claim 2, wherein the means for moving the movable frame relative to the support frame assembly comprises a motor that rotates at least one of the first pivot arm or the second pivot arm.
5. The system of claim 1, further comprising:
- a third pivot arm having a proximal end and a distal end relative to the movable frame, the proximal end of the third pivot arm being rotatably coupled to the movable frame, the distal end of the third pivot arm being rotatably coupled to a third fixed pivot point proximate to the support frame assembly; and
- a fourth pivot arm having a proximal end and a distal end relative to the movable frame, the proximal end of the fourth pivot arm being rotatably coupled to the movable frame, the distal end of the fourth pivot arm being rotatably coupled to a fourth fixed pivot point proximate to the support frame assembly.
6. A system, comprising: a support frame assembly that supports the movable frame; and
- a movable frame;
- a pivot arm having a proximal end and a distal end relative to the movable frame, the proximal end of the pivot arm being rotatably coupled to the movable frame, the distal end of the pivot arm being rotatably coupled to a fixed pivot point proximate to the support frame assembly.
7-10. (canceled)
11. The system of claim 6, wherein the movable frame is an upper frame, and wherein the support frame assembly is a lower frame.
12. The system of claim 11, further comprising an additional pivot arm that is rotatably coupled to the movable frame and to the lower frame.
13-20. (canceled)
21. The system of claim 1, wherein the movable frame is an upper frame, and wherein the support frame assembly is a lower frame.
22. The system of claim 1, wherein the support frame assembly comprises a wall-mounted support structure.
23. The system of claim 1, wherein the support frame assembly comprises a plurality of vertical supports.
24. The system of claim 2, wherein the means for moving the movable frame relative to the support frame assembly comprises a cable drum mounted to the movable frame.
25. The system of claim 2, wherein the means for moving the movable frame relative to the support frame assembly comprises a cable attached to the movable frame.
26. The system of claim 6, further comprising a cable drum attached to the movable frame, wherein the cable drum is used to raise and lower the movable frame.
27. The system of claim 6, further comprising a cable attached to the movable frame, wherein the cable is used to raise and lower the movable frame.
28. The system of claim 6, wherein the movable frame comprises an upper frame, and wherein the support frame assembly comprises a lower frame.
29. The system of claim 6, wherein the support frame assembly is configured to be mounted to a wall.
30. The system of claim 6, wherein the movable frame comprises a shelving unit.
31. The system of claim 6, wherein the support frame assembly comprises a shelving unit.
32. The system of claim 6, further comprising a pulley and a cable, wherein the pulley is mounted to the movable frame and wherein the cable passes around the pulley and attaches to the movable frame.
33. The system of claim 32, wherein the cable is attached to a rear side of the movable frame.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 27, 2017
Publication Date: Mar 29, 2018
Inventor: John L. Finch, JR. (Naples, FL)
Application Number: 15/795,427