MODULAR STORAGE ASSEMBLY

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to an apparatus comprising a modular storage assembly. Various embodiments comprise a storage rack that includes a plurality of post members, a plurality of shelves, and a plurality of retaining rings. The plurality of post members include a plurality of grooves that extend around the perimeter of the posts. Further, the plurality of post members include male and female ends that enable the post members to form a post assembly. The plurality of shelves include a wall mount and a plurality of apertures, which define a toothed profile and which are disposed at the corners of the plurality of shelves. The retaining rings feature a generally tapered shape, a gap, an outer perimeter featuring a toothed profile, and an inner perimeter featuring annular ridges. The retaining rings are thus configured to couple the shelves to the post members such that the position of the shelves with respect to the post members is adjustable in the vertical direction. Various embodiments also comprise a door assembly that includes a plurality of identical door panels, a latching post and a hasp member. The door assembly may thus form a storage bin and/or a storage cabinet.

Description

BACKGROUND

Modular shelving units may be utilized to store various objects, such as paint cans, athletic equipment and the like. However, conventional shelving units may be difficult to assemble and in some situations, it may be desirable to selectively limit access to objects positioned on the shelving units. Furthermore, conventional modular shelving units may have limited assembly configurations that may not be suitable for the storage of some objects, such as soccer balls, basketballs, or the like.

Accordingly, a need exists for modular storage assemblies that are configured for easy assembly and that permit multiple assembly configurations suitable for the storage of a variety of objects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 schematically depicts a modular storage assembly according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 2 schematically depicts an exploded view of the storage rack of FIG. 1 according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 3A schematically depicts a post member of the storage rack of FIG. 1 according to one or more embodiment shown and described herein;

FIG. 3B schematically depicts another view of the post member of FIG. 3A according to one or more embodiment shown and described herein;

FIG. 4A schematically depicts a shelf of the storage rack of FIG. 1 according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 4B schematically depicts another view of the shelf of FIG. 4A according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 5A schematically depicts an enlarged view of an aperture of the shelf of FIG. 4A according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 5B schematically depicts a section view of the aperture of FIG. 5A according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 6A schematically depicts a bottom view of the shelf of FIG. 4A according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 6B schematically depicts a section view of the aperture of the shelf along section 6B-6B of FIG. 6A according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 7 schematically depicts a side view of the shelf of FIG. 4A according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 8A schematically depicts an enlarged view of a female coupling member of the shelf of FIG. 4A according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 8B schematically depicts an enlarged view of a male coupling member of the shelf of FIG. 4A according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 9A schematically depicts another shelf according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 9B schematically depicts another view of the shelf of FIG. 9A according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 10A schematically depicts a retaining ring of the modular storage assembly of FIG. 1 according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 10B schematically depicts another view of the retaining ring of FIG. 10A according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 11A schematically depicts the assembly of the modular storage assembly of FIG. 1 according to one or more embodiment shown and described herein;

FIG. 11B schematically depicts the assembly of the modular storage assembly of FIG. 1 according to one or more embodiment shown and described herein;

FIG. 11C schematically depicts the assembly of the modular storage assembly of FIG. 1 according to one or more embodiment shown and described herein;

FIG. 12 schematically depicts the modular storage assembly of FIG. 1 including a plurality of door panels according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 13A schematically depicts a door panel of the modular storage assembly of FIG. 12 according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 13B schematically depicts another view of the door panel of FIG. 13A according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 14 schematically depicts a door assembly including a pair of door panels according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 15 schematically depicts a latching post of the door assembly of FIG. 14 according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 16A schematically depicts a hasp member of the door assembly of FIG. 14 according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 16B schematically depicts another view of the hasp member of FIG. 16A according to one or more embodiment shown and described herein;

FIG. 17A schematically depicts an assembled door assembly according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; and

FIG. 17B schematically depicts another view of the door assembly of FIG. 17A according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

Various embodiments of the present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. The term “or” is used herein in both the alternative and conjunctive sense, unless otherwise indicated. The terms “illustrative” and “exemplary” are used to be examples with no indication of quality level. And terms are used both in the singular and plural forms interchangeably. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

As used herein, the vertical direction (i.e., the +/−Z-direction as depicted) refers to the upward/downward direction of the storage assembly. The longitudinal direction (i.e., the +/−X-direction as depicted) refers to the forward/rearward direction of the storage assembly and is transverse to the vertical direction. The lateral direction (i.e., the +/−Y-direction as depicted) refers to the cross-wise direction of the storage assembly and is transverse to the vertical direction and the longitudinal direction.

I. EXEMPLARY MODULAR STORAGE ASSEMBLY

Modular storage assemblies configured to store and organize items are described herein. In embodiments, the storage assemblies may include a plurality of shelves that are selectively coupled to post assemblies by a toothed retaining ring. The toothed retaining ring may assist preventing the assembly of the shelf to the post assembly until a user has positioned the retaining ring at a desired height on the post assembly. The storage assemblies may further include one or more door panels that may form a door assembly to selectively prevent access to an interior of the storage assembly.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a modular storage assembly 100 is schematically depicted. The modular storage assembly 100 is assembled to form a storage rack 102 including post assemblies 110 and one or more shelves 120 selectively coupled to the post assemblies 110. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the modular storage assembly 100 includes four post assemblies 110 positioned at four opposing corners of the storage rack 102. When assembled, the post assemblies 110 generally extend upward in the vertical direction, and the one or more shelves extend in the longitudinal and lateral directions between the opposing post assemblies 110. The shelves 120 may be selectively coupled to and removable from the post assemblies 110. The position of the shelves 120 with respect to the post assemblies 110 may also be adjustable in the vertical direction, as will be described in greater detail herein.

Referring to FIG. 2, an exploded view of the storage rack 102 is schematically depicted. Each of the post assemblies 110 include one or more post members 112 that are selectively coupled to and removable from one another. The post members 112 may be substantially similar and interchangeable with one another, as will be described in greater detail herein. Retaining rings 140 are positioned between the one or more post members 112 and the one or more shelves 120 to selectively couple the shelves 120 to the post members 112. The storage rack 102 may optionally include one or more end caps 190 that are selectively coupled to the top of the post assemblies 110 and supporting feet 192 that are selectively coupled to the bottom of the post assemblies 110. In embodiments, each of the shelves 120, post members 112, and the retaining rings 140 are formed of a resin material, and may be formed through a molding process. In other embodiments, the shelves 120, the post members 112, and the retaining rings 140 may be formed of any suitable material, such as a polymer, a composite, or the like, and may be formed through any suitable manufacturing process. In some embodiments, the shelves 120, the post members 112, and the retaining rings 140 are all formed from the same material. In other embodiments, the shelves 120, the post members 112, and the retaining rings 140 may be formed from different materials and/or different combinations of materials.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, a pair of post members 112 are depicted in isolation. The post members 112 may have a generally cylindrical shape and may define a hollow tube. In other embodiments, the post members 112 may define any suitable shape, including, but not limited to square-shaped tube, a rectangular-shaped tube, an ovular-shaped tube, or the like, and the post members 112. Additionally, while the post members 112 are described herein as defining hollow tubes, it should be understood that the post members 112 may include a solid construction. The post members 112 include a female end 116 and a male end 118 positioned opposite the female end 116. The male end 118 defines an outer diameter that is less than an inner diameter of the female end 116. In embodiments, when post members 112 are assembled to one another, the male end 118 of one post member 112 may be at least partially inserted within the female end 166 of another post member 112. In this way, multiple post members 112 may be assembled to one another to form the post assembly 110 (FIG. 2).

Each of the post members 112 include a plurality of annular grooves 114 that extend around a perimeter of the post members 112. The annular grooves 114 extend inward into an outer perimeter of the post members 112 in a radial direction, forming a cavity within the post members 112. In other embodiments, the annular grooves 114 may extend outward from the outer perimeter of the post members 112, or may define shapes having both inwardly and outwardly extending portions. Each of the post members 112 multiple annular grooves 114 that are spaced apart from one another along a length of the post members 112. Each of the annular grooves 114 of the post members 112 are configured to engage a retaining ring 140 (FIG. 2) to selectively couple a shelf 120 (FIG. 2) to the post member 112, as will be described in greater detail herein. The annular grooves 114 may be regularly spaced and equidistant from one another along the length of the post members 112. In other embodiments, the annular grooves 114 may be irregularly spaced apart from one another along the length of the post members 112.

Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B a front and a rear perspective view of a shelf 120 of the storage assembly 100 are schematically depicted, respectively. The shelves 120 define apertures 122 positioned at four opposite corners of the shelf 120. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the shelves 120 generally define a rectangular shape, however, it should be understood that the shelves 120 may define any suitable shape, for example and without limitation, a square shape, circular shape, an elliptical shape, or the like. The apertures 122 extend through the shelves 120 and are configured to engage the retaining rings 140 (FIG. 2) as will be described in greater detail herein. Each of the apertures 122 define a toothed profile 124 oriented to face radially inward into each of the apertures 122. The toothed profiles 124 are configured to engage the retaining rings 140 (FIG. 2) to restrain the shelves 120 with respect to the post assemblies 110.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, an enlarged view of one of the apertures 122 and a section view of one of the apertures 122 are schematically depicted, respectively. The toothed profile 124 extends around the aperture 122 and is oriented to face radially inward. The toothed profile 124 defines a plurality of teeth 125 that extend outward from an inner perimeter 123 of the aperture 122 to form the toothed profile 124. While the plurality of teeth 125 depicted in FIGS. 5A and 5B extend along the aperture 122 in the vertical direction (i.e., a spur gear configuration), it should be understood that the plurality of teeth 125 may include any suitable configuration, such as a helical gear configuration or the like.

Referring to FIG. 6A, a bottom view of the shelf 120 is schematically depicted. The shelf 120 includes a grating 128 including a plurality of grate members 129 that define a plurality of openings through the shelf 120. In some embodiments, individual grate members 129 may extend to the outer perimeter of the shelf 120, which may assist in providing structural rigidity to the shelf 120.

Referring to FIG. 6B, a section view of one of the apertures 122 along section 6B-6B of FIG. 6A is schematically depicted. The aperture 122 includes a narrow end 130 that is positioned opposite a wide end 132, where the wide end 132 has an inner diameter that is greater than the narrow end 130. The aperture 122 includes a generally tapered shape in which the inner diameter of the aperture 122 increases moving along the aperture 122 from the narrow end 130 to the wide end 132. By having a tapered shape, the apertures 122 may engage the retaining rings 140 (FIG. 2), thereby restricting movement of the shelf 120 in the vertical direction when installed to the post assembly 110, as will be described in greater detail herein.

Referring to FIG. 7, a side view of the shelf 120 is schematically depicted. Each of the shelves 120 may include one or more trusses 127 extending around the perimeter of the shelf 120 and extending between a top and a bottom of the shelf 120. The trusses 127 may assist in providing structural rigidity to the shelf 120. The shelf 120 further includes a male coupling member 136, a female coupling member 134, and a wall mount 133 positioned around the perimeter of the shelf 120. In embodiments, the male coupling member 136 is positioned on a side of the shelf opposite the female coupling member 134, and the wall mount 133 is positioned on a side of the shelf adjacent to the male coupling member 136 and the female coupling member 134. The wall mount 133 is configured to fasten the shelf 120, and accordingly, the assembled storage assembly 100 (FIG. 1) to a wall. In embodiments, the wall mount 133 may be configured to receive a mechanical fastener, such as a nail, a screw, or the like, which may fasten the shelf 120, and accordingly, the assembled storage assembly 100 (FIG. 1) to a wall.

Referring to FIG. 8A an enlarged perspective view of the female coupling member 134 is schematically depicted. The female coupling member 134 may extend at least partially outward from the shelf 120 and defines an aperture 135 configured to receive the male coupling member 136.

Referring to FIG. 8B, an enlarged perspective view of the male coupling member 136 is schematically depicted. The male coupling member may extend at least partially outward from the shelf 120 and includes a downwardly extending tab 137 that is configured to be at least partially inserted into the aperture 135 of the female coupling member 134. The female coupling member 134 and the male coupling member 136 to couple adjacent shelves 120, and accordingly adjacent modular storage assemblies 100 (FIG. 1) to one another. While both the male coupling member 136 and the female coupling member 134 are described herein as extending at least partially outward from the shelf 120, in some embodiments one of the male coupling member 136 and the female coupling member 134 may extend outward from the shelf 120 while the other of the male coupling member 136 and the female coupling member 134 is recessed within the shelf 120.

Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, a front and a rear view of another shelf 120 are schematically depicted, respectively. The shelves 120 define the apertures 122 and the toothed profiles 124, however, in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5, the shelves 120 define a planar surface 126, as compared to the grating 128 (FIG. 4). By having a planar surface 126, the shelf 120 may accommodate storage of items that may not be suitable for storage on a shelf including a grating.

Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, a top and a bottom view of a retaining ring 140 are schematically depicted, respectively. The retaining rings 140 have a generally annular shape that is complementary (i.e., corresponding to and the opposite of) with the post assembly 110. The retaining rings 140 have a toothed profile 142 positioned on an outer perimeter of the retaining rings 140, and the toothed profile 142 may be complementary with the toothed profile 124 of the shelves 120 (FIG. 4). The toothed profile 142 of the retaining ring 140 includes a plurality of teeth 143 that extend outward from the outer perimeter of the retaining ring 140, where the plurality of teeth 143 is configured to engage the teeth 125 (FIG. 5B) of the aperture 122. In particular, individual teeth of the plurality of teeth 143 of the retaining ring are shaped to fit between the teeth 125 (FIG. 5B) of the aperture 122 when the retaining ring 140 is inserted within the aperture 122. In other embodiments, the plurality of teeth 143 may include the same number of individual teeth as the teeth 125 (FIG. 5B) of the aperture 122. In other embodiments, the plurality of teeth 143 may be less than the number of teeth 125 of the aperture 122. In other embodiments, the plurality of teeth 143 may be more than the number of teeth 125 of the aperture 122

Each of the retaining rings 140 have a narrow end 150 positioned opposite a wide end 152, where the retaining ring 140 has a greater outer diameter at the wide end 152 as compared to the narrow end 150. As the retaining ring 140 has a greater outer diameter at the wide end 152, the retaining ring has a generally tapered shape, with the outer diameter of the retaining ring 140 increasing moving along the retaining ring 140 from the narrow end 150 to the wide end 152. The tapered shape of the retaining ring 140 may assist in engaging the retaining ring 140 with the apertures 122 of the shelves 120.

The retaining rings 140 include one or more annular ridges 144 extending inward from an inner perimeter of the retaining rings 140. The annular ridges 144 are spaced apart from one another and are configured to engage the annular grooves 114 of the post assembly 110 when the retaining rings are installed to the post assembly 110.

The retaining rings 140 include a gap 148 extending along a length of the retaining rings 140. The gap 148 may allow the retaining rings 140 to elastically deform in a radial direction such that the retaining rings 140 may be installed to the post assemblies 110.

Referring to FIGS. 11A-11C, a shelf 120 is depicted being installed to a post assembly 110. Initially, the retaining ring 140 is installed to the post assembly 110 by positioning the retaining ring 140 over the post assembly, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B. The retaining ring 140 may be installed such that the wide end 152 is positioned below the narrow end 150 of the retaining ring 140. In some embodiments, the inner diameter of the retaining ring 140 may be less than an outer diameter of the post assembly 110, such that the retaining ring 140 may have an interference fit with the post assembly 110. Additionally, the annular ridges 144 of the retaining ring 140 may engage the annular grooves 114 of the post assembly 110 to retain the position of the retaining ring 140 on the post assembly 110 in the vertical direction. As described above, the retaining ring 140 may be elastically deformable in a radial direction, and the retaining ring 140 may be disengaged from the annular grooves 114 of the post assembly 110 by expanding the retaining ring 140 in the radial direction. In this way, the retaining ring 140 may be repositionable along the post assembly 110.

Once the retaining ring 140 is positioned on the post assembly 110, the aperture 122 of the shelf 120 is positioned over the post assembly 110 and the retaining ring 140, as shown in FIGS. 11B and 11C. The aperture 122 of the shelf 120 may be oriented such that the narrow end 130 of the aperture 122 is positioned above the wide end 132 of the aperture 122. The aperture 122 of the shelf 120 may be engaged with the retaining ring 140, and in particular, the toothed profile 124 of the aperture 122 engages the toothed profile 142 of the retaining ring 140. As described above, the retaining ring 140 includes a narrow end 150 that is positioned above the wide end 152 when installed to the post assembly 110, accordingly, when the aperture 122 is lowered onto the retaining ring 140, the wide end 152 may create an interference fit with the aperture 122.

As both the aperture 122 and the retaining ring 140 include the toothed profiles 124, 142, respectively, when the aperture 122 is initially lowered onto the retaining ring 140, the end surfaces of the teeth 143 of the retaining ring 140 may contact the end surfaces of the teeth 125 of the aperture 122, preventing the aperture 122 from being seated to the retaining ring 140. A user may subsequently rotate the retaining ring 140 such that the teeth 143 of the retaining ring 140 are positioned between the teeth 125 of the aperture 122, allowing the aperture 122 to be lowered onto the retaining ring 140. In this way, the toothed profile 124 of the aperture 122 and the toothed profile 142 of the retaining ring 140 may assist in preventing the aperture 122 from being lowered onto the retaining ring 140 without manipulation/rotation of the retaining ring 140, which may assist in the assembly of the modular storage assembly 100. For example, by preventing the aperture 122 from being lowered onto the retaining ring 140, the toothed profiles 124, 142 may allow a user to selectively move the retaining ring 140 (and accordingly the shelf 120) along the post assembly 110 to a desired height before the shelf 120 is seated and selectively coupled to the retaining ring 140. Once seated, the shelf 120, retaining ring 140 and corresponding post assembly 110 remain snugly interconnected.

Referring to FIG. 12, the modular storage assembly 100 is schematically depicted with a plurality of door members 162 coupled to the storage rack 102 to form a storage cabinet 104. Some of the door members 162 may be pivotally coupled to the post assemblies 110 to form a door assembly 160 that may be selectively opened and closed to permit access to an interior of the modular storage assembly 100. While in the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the shelves 120 and the door members 160 form an enclosed modular storage assembly 100, it should be understood that one or more of the shelves 120 and/or one or more of the door members 160 may be omitted from the modular storage assembly 100. In this way, post assemblies 110, the shelves 120, and the door members 160 may be assembled to form a storage bin with an open top, and/or a storage cabinet with one or more open sides. By forming a storage cabinet 104 or storage bin, the modular storage assembly 100 may be suitable for storing round or spherical objects, such as basketballs, soccer balls, or the like.

Referring to FIGS. 13A and 13B, a front and a rear view of a door panel 162 are schematically depicted, respectively. The door panel 162 includes a panel member 163, a pair of hinges 164 positioned on one side of the panel member 163, and a central hinge 166 positioned on a side of the panel member 163 opposite of the pair of hinges 164. The pair of hinges 164 and the central hinge 166 are configured to engage the post assembly 110 (FIG. 12) to couple the door panels 162 to the post assembly 110. In embodiments, the central hinge 166 is positioned on the door panel 162 in the vertical direction such that the central hinge 166 of one door panel 162 may be positioned between a pair of hinges 164 of an adjacent door panel 162 on the post assembly 110, as shown in FIG. 12. In this way, adjacent door panels 162 may form an enclosed storage cabinet. In embodiments, the door panels 162 are formed of a resin material, and may be formed through a molding process. In other embodiments, the door panels 162 may be formed of any suitable material, such as a polymer, a composite, or the like, and may be formed through any suitable manufacturing process. In some embodiments, the door panels 162 may be formed of the same material as the shelves 120, the post members 112, and the retaining rings 140. In other embodiments, the door panels 162, the shelves 120, the post members 112, and the retaining rings 140 may be formed from different materials and/or different combinations of materials. In addition, the door panels 162 can be made with the same dimensions as each other, such that a left door panel and a right door panel are exactly the same. This saves manufacturing and inventory costs.

Referring to FIG. 14, an exploded view of a door assembly 160 is schematically depicted. The door assembly 160 generally includes two door panels 162, a hasp member 170, and a latching post 180. The hasp member 170 is configured to engage the central hinge 166 of one of the door panels 162, and the latching post 180 is configured to engage the pair of hinges 164 of the other door panel 162. The hasp member 170 and the latching post 180 may be selectively coupled to and may be removable from the central hinge 166 and the pair of hinges 164, respectively, such as through an interference fit. In embodiments, the hasp member 170 and the latching post 180 are formed of a resin material, and may be formed through a molding process. In other embodiments, the hasp member 170 and the latching post 180 may be formed of any suitable material, such as a polymer, a composite, or the like, and may be formed through any suitable manufacturing process. In some embodiments, the hasp member 170 and the latching post 180 may be formed of the same material. In other embodiments, the hasp member 170 and the latching post 180 may be formed from different materials and/or different combinations of materials.

Referring to FIG. 15, a latching post 180 is depicted in isolation. The latching post 180 may have a generally cylindrical shape that is similar to the shape of the post members 112 (FIG. 3A). The latching post 180 may further include one or more annular grooves 182 that extend outward from the latching post 180. The annular grooves 182 may assist in maintaining the position of the latching post 180 in the vertical direction when the latching post 180 is coupled to the pair of hinges 164 (FIG. 14). The latching post 180 further includes a staple 184 that extends outward from the latching post 180. The staple 184 may be configured to receive a lock or the like to selectively prevent access to the modular storage assembly 100 (FIG. 12).

Referring to FIGS. 16A and 16B, a front and a rear view of the hasp member 170 are schematically depicted, respectively. The hasp member 170 includes a post 172, flanges 173 positioned on opposite sides of the post 172, and a hasp 174 that defines a slot 176. The post 172 is configured to be engaged with and selectively coupled to the central hinge 166 (FIG. 13A). The flanges 173 are positioned on opposite sides of the post 172 and extend outward from the post 172. The flanges 173 may assist in retaining the vertical position of the hasp member 170 with respect to the central hinge 166 (FIG. 13A) when the hasp member 170 is installed to the central hinge 166. The hasp 174 extends outward from the post 172 and is configured to engage the latching post 180. The hasp 174 may include a concave shape that is complementary to the cylindrical shape of the latching post 180. The slot 176 extends through the hasp 174 and is positioned to align with the staple 184 when the hasp member 170 and the latching post 180 (FIG. 15) are installed to respective door panels 162.

Referring to FIGS. 17A and 17B, a front view and a rear view of the door assembly 160 are schematically depicted, respectively. The door assembly 160 is repositionable between a closed position, in which the staple 184 of the latching post 180 is positioned within the slot 176 (FIG. 16A) of the hasp member 170 as shown in FIG. 17A, and an open position, in which the staple 184 is spaced apart from the slot 176 of the hasp member 170. In the closed position, a lock or the like can be positioned through the staple 184 to prevent either of the door panels 162 from rotating about the post assemblies 110 (FIG. 12) into an open position. In this way, the hasp member 170 and the latching post 180 may selectively restrict access to an interior of the storage cabinet 102. This may be advantageous in the case of storage of potentially dangerous tools or chemical products. For example, a consumer may wish to lock pesticides in the storage cabinet 102 in a garage to prevent children from gaining access.

IV. CONCLUSION

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

1. A storage assembly apparatus comprising:

at least one upstanding post assembly;

at least one shelf comprising at least one aperture extending through the shelf, wherein each of the at least one aperture comprises a first toothed profile defining a first plurality of teeth oriented to face radially inward into each of the at least one aperture; and

at least one annular ring for removably fixing a vertical position of the at least one shelf on the at least one upstanding post assembly, wherein the at least one annular ring comprises: a second toothed profile positioned on an outer perimeter of the at least one annular ring, wherein the second toothed profile defines a second plurality of teeth that extend and face outward from the outer perimeter of the annular ring, and wherein the second plurality of teeth are configured to engage the first plurality of teeth defined by the at least one aperture; and an inner perimeter defining a structural profile extending inward from the inner perimeter, wherein the inner perimeter is configured to engage the at least one upstanding post assembly.

2. The storage assembly apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one annular ring comprises a generally tapered shape such that the outer perimeter of the at least one annular ring decreases along a vertical direction thereby configuring the at least one annular ring with a narrow end opposite a wide end.

3. The storage assembly apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one annular ring comprises a gap that enables the annular ring to elastically deform in a radial direction to facilitate a repositioning of the annular ring along the at least one upstanding post assembly.

4. The storage assembly apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one annular ring comprises an inner diameter that is smaller than an outer diameter of the at least one upstanding post assembly such that installing the at least one annular ring on the at least one upstanding post assembly results in an interference fit.

5. The storage assembly apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one post assembly comprises a plurality of annular grooves; and

wherein the inner perimeter of the at least one annular ring comprises one or more annular ridges extending inward from the inner perimeter, and wherein the at least one or more annular ridges are configured to engage a subset of the plurality of annular grooves such that a vertical position of the at least one annular ring with respect to the at least one upstanding post assembly becomes fixed.

6. The storage assembly apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first toothed profile comprises an inner profile perimeter, the inner profile perimeter being defined by a first shape connecting a first plurality of apexes of the first plurality of teeth;

wherein the second toothed profile comprises an outer profile perimeter, the outer profile perimeter being defined by a second shape connecting a second plurality of apexes of the second plurality of teeth; and

wherein the first toothed profile and the second toothed profile are configured to prevent the at least one aperture from seating on the at least one annular ring when the at least one shelf is initially lowered onto the at least one annular ring.

7. The storage assembly apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one shelf comprises a shelf perimeter, and wherein a wall mount is disposed on the shelf perimeter.

8. The storage assembly apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one shelf comprises a shelf perimeter, and wherein the shelf perimeter comprises a plurality of trusses extending around the shelf perimeter and extending between a top surface of the at least one shelf and a bottom surface of the at least one shelf.

9. A storage assembly apparatus comprising:

at least four upstanding post assemblies;

at least one shelf positioned transversally with respect to the at least four upstanding post assemblies;

a plurality of identical panels, wherein each panel comprising the plurality of identical panels further comprises: a pair of hinges positioned on a first panel side; a central hinge positioned on a second panel side that is opposite to the pair of hinges, wherein the pair of hinges and the central hinge are configured to pivotally couple each panel to at least one of the at least four upstanding post assemblies;

a door assembly comprising two panels of the plurality of identical panels, wherein each of the two panels of the plurality of identical panels is coupled to one of the at least four upstanding post assemblies via one of (i) the pair of hinges and (ii) the central hinge.

10. The storage assembly apparatus of claim 9, wherein the plurality of identical panels are reversible such that each panel comprising the plurality of identical panels may substitute any other panel comprising the plurality of identical panels in the storage assembly apparatus.

11. The storage assembly apparatus of claim 10, wherein at least one panel of the plurality of identical panels is simultaneously coupled to two of the at least four upstanding post assemblies, such that the at least one panel of the plurality of panels forms one of (i) a side wall panel and (ii) a back wall panel.

12. The storage assembly apparatus of claim 9, wherein the door assembly further comprises:

a hasp member configured to detachably engage to the central hinge;

a latching post configured to detachable engage to the pair of hinges.

13. The storage assembly apparatus of claim 12, wherein detachably engaging the hasp member to the central hinge results in an interference fit, and wherein detachably engaging the latching post to the pair of hinges results in an interference fit.

14. The storage assembly apparatus of claim 12, wherein the latching post comprises a generally cylindrical shape, one or more annular grooves that extend outward from the latching post, and a staple configured to receive a lock.

15. The storage assembly apparatus of claim 14, wherein the one or more annular grooves are configured to fix a vertical position of the latching post with respect to the pair of hinges when the latching post is detachably engaged to the pair of hinges.

16. The storage assembly apparatus of claim 12, wherein the hasp member comprises a post portion, two flanges, and a hasp portion comprising a slot, wherein the hasp portion extends outward from the post portion and is configured to engage the latching post.

17. The storage assembly apparatus of claim 14,

wherein the hasp member comprises a post portion, two flanges, and a hasp portion comprising a slot that extends through the hasp portion;

wherein the hasp portion extends outward from the post portion and is configured to engage the latching post; and

wherein the slot is configured to align with the staple.

18. The storage assembly apparatus of claim 16, wherein the two flanges comprise a first flange and a second flange; and

wherein the first flange is disposed on one side of the post portion and the second flange is disposed on a side opposite to the first flange, such that the two flanges fix a vertical position of the hasp member with respect to the central hinge.

19. The storage assembly apparatus of claim 17, wherein the door assembly is repositionable between a closed position and an open position, the closed position being a first configuration in which the staple is positioned within the slot, and the open position being a second configuration in which the staple is spaced apart from the slot.

20. The storage assembly apparatus of claim 19, wherein the door assembly further comprises a lock at least partially disposed through the staple, wherein the lock prevents the two panels of the plurality of identical panels comprising the door assembly from pivotally rotating about the at least four upstanding post assemblies.