ERGONOMIC LOCKER SYSTEM

Abstract

Systems and methods for an ergonomic locker system including a repositionable cross-member or bar for supporting a plurality of clothes hangers suspended between two oppositely disposed tracks. The hanging bar is slideable along the tracks and may be adjusted from a lower, forward position to a higher, back position in order to enhance storage space and improve functionality. An independently lockable auxiliary locker further allows a user to secure personal possessions even when the entire locker system is open using a master door.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present novel technology relates generally to the storage furniture industry, and, more particularly, to a commercial locker with a repositionable support bar.

BACKGROUND

On-site storage lockers have been used to store clothing in the workplace, school hallways, golf clubhouses, athletic locker rooms, and like places. However, lockers have been limited in their versatility to accommodate larger amounts of clothing in an organized fashion. Most lockers are too narrow and/or too shallow to allow for a plurality of jackets, shirts, and the like to fit within in locker while still allowing access to other stored items and for the locker door to be closed.

Thus, there is a need for a system that allows those using or otherwise needing access to a clothing locker, such as a typical worker, student, club member, athlete, and/or uniform supplier or route driver to store a larger volume of clothing and other non-clothing items more efficiently within their locker.

The present novel technology addresses these needs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exterior perspective view of a first embodiment of an ergonomic storage locker according to the present novel technology.

FIG. 2 is a cutaway interior view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a first enlarged partial view of the embodiment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a second enlarged partial view of the embodiment of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a third enlarged partial view of the embodiment of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of FIG. 1 showing the master door open.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a track and locking mechanism.

FIG. 8A is a second perspective view of FIG. 6 showing auxiliary locker units, according to a second embodiment of the present novel technology.

FIG. 8B is a third perspective view of FIG. 6 showing auxiliary locker units.

FIG. 8C is a fourth perspective view of FIG. 6 showing auxiliary locker units.

FIG. 8D is a fifth perspective view of FIG. 6 showing auxiliary locker units.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an example auxiliary locker unit.

Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.

The details of one or more embodiments of the subject matter described in this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the novel technology and presenting its currently understood best mode of operation, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the novel technology is thereby intended, with such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device and such further applications of the principles of the novel technology as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the novel technology relates.

The novel technology shown in FIGS. 1-7 illustrate an ergonomic locker system 5 having a repositionable cross-member or bar 10 extending across the interior volume 11 of an individual locker unit 13 that is typically arranged as one of a plurality of units 13 defining a locker bank 17. The bar 10 is typically capable of supporting a plurality of hangers, such as clothes hangers or the like. The bar 10 is suspended between two tracks 20, 21 that are respectively position on oppositely disposed sides 23A, 23B of the locker unit 13. The tracks 20, 21 are typically diagonally oriented with respect to the front wall or door 15 in its pivoted closed position (i.e., the front door plane 16) and rear wall 25 of the locker 5, typically running upwardly from the front portion 15 of the locker to the rear portion 25.

The locker bank 17 typically includes a plurality of elongated locker units 13 positioned side-by-side and connected at adjacent walls or side members 23A, 23B. In some instances, each locker unit 13 is full length or about five to seven feet tall with the bank 17 having a single row of units 13, while in other instances, each locker unit 13 is half-size or about three feet tall, with the bank 17 having two or more rows of units 13, with the second row stacked atop the first, and so on, typically having one or more shelf dividers between the units 13.

Typically, for full length units 13 and/or half-length units 13 positioned on upper rows, the bar 10 is slideable from a typically lower, proximal position 35 on the tracks 20, 21 to a typically higher, distal position 30 on the tracks 20, 21. For lower units, the bar 10 is typically slideable between a first proximal position 35 to a recessed distal position 30 along a horizontal path or even a path that descends slightly from proximal position 35 to horizontal position 30. The bar 10 is typically lockable into the proximal or lower position 35 or distal or higher position 30, such as via locking notch 33 formed in one or both respective tracks 20, 21.

In the case of full length or upper row units 13, the slideable bar 10 allows for users to hang their clothes in the locker 5 when the bar 10 is in the lower, proximal position 35, and then slide the bar 10 into the higher, distal position 30 and lock it there for storage so that the hanging clothes are repositioned up and out of the way of access to the remaining locker volume. With the clothes in this recessed, typically higher position, the locker door 15 is able to more easily close and items stored on the floor or shelves of the remaining locker volume are more easily accessible. Workers, students, and the like, will no longer have to reach up into the back of a locker to load and unload hangers, putting additional, daily wear and tear on the arms, shoulders, and back. The ergonomics involved in the novel technology provide everyday users of an individual locker, and especially bulk users, such as uniform supply employees and the like, an easier way to access clothing by sliding the bar 10 towards them, decreasing the likelihood of work-related injuries from acute or repetitive stressors.

Similarly, for shorter units 13 located lower to the ground, the slideable bar 10 allows for users to hang clothes in the locker 5 when the bar 10 is in the forward, proximal position 35 and then slide the bar 10 into the rearward, distal position 30 and lock it there for storage so that the hanging clothes are repositioned back and out of the way of access to the remaining locker volume. Tracks 20, 21 are thus oriented at (or nearly) horizontal, with only a slight incline or decline from proximal end or position 35 to distal end or position 30.

The locker bank 17 typically has a master door 51, which typically includes the front doors 15 of all of the locker units 13 making up the bank 17 positioned within a framework 53. The master door 51 is pivotably connected to the bank 17 such that it may be opened to expose the interior volumes 11 of all locker units 13 that are members of the bank 17.

In one embodiment, the bar 10 is typically disposed seventy-five inches from the base 31 of the locker 5 and three and a half inches into the locker 5 volume or from the front door plane 16 in the first, lower position 35. In the second, elevated position 30, the bar 10 is typically disposed eighty-two inches from the base member or floor 31 of the locker 5 and eleven and a half inches into the locker 5 volume or from the front door plane 16. Of course, in other embodiments, the dimensions may be different. For example, one or more shelfs 27 may be disposed at approximately thirty-six inches above base 31, and each locker may have bar 10 disposed twenty-seven inches from the base 31 (and/or shelf 27) and three and a half inches into the locker 5 volume or from the front door plane 16 in the first, lower position 35. In the second, elevated position 30, bar 10 may then be disposed thirty-four inches from the divider 27 (and/or base member or floor 31) of the locker 5 and eleven and a half inches into the locker 5 volume or from the front door plane 16. In still other embodiments, the base 31 may be considered a shelf portion 27, and dimensions may be based on distance from respective shelves 27.

Additionally, a second removable bar 11 may be added or inserted into the lower, proximal position 35 while the first bar 10 is locked in the higher, distal position 30. This removable bar 11 is manually removed from the proximal position 35 prior to sliding the bar 10 from the distal position 30 into the proximal position 35. This arrangement temporarily expands the storage capacity of the locker 5.

In operation, a user can access the locker volume by first opening the pivotably front door 15 and then moving the bar 10 into the proximal position 35. It may first be necessary to unlock the bar 10 if the bar is locked in its distal position 30. Once the bar 10 is proximally disposed, clothes may be removed from and/or added to the bar 10, such as by undraping/draping over hangers that may be removably suspended from the bar 10. The bar 10 is then repositioned to the distal position 30 and, typically, locked in place. Finally, the locker door 15 is pivoted shut and secured.

Optionally, after repositioning the bar 10, a second bar 11 may be inserted into the proximal position 35 to increase the storage capacity of the locker system 10.

Other embodiments, as seen in FIGS. 8A-9, allow a user of locker system 5 to also store personal possessions in a separate, independently or individually securable auxiliary locker unit 60. Auxiliary locker 60 typically includes auxiliary parallel sidewalls 62A, 62B, auxiliary top wall 64, auxiliary bottom wall 66, auxiliary front face 68 (also referred to as auxiliary door 68), auxiliary rear face 70, auxiliary volume 72, auxiliary actuator 74, auxiliary locking member 76, and auxiliary connection member(s) 78.

Auxiliary volume 72 typically may be defined by auxiliary parallel sidewalls 62A, 62B spaced on, and typically extending orthogonally between, auxiliary door 68 and auxiliary rear face 70, and typically is further bounded by auxiliary top wall 64 and auxiliary bottom wall 66, to define or yield auxiliary volume 72. Auxiliary actuator 74 typically may extend through front door 68 and in turn be connected to auxiliary locking member 76 inside volume 72. Auxiliary connection member(s) 78 typically connect auxiliary locker 60 to locker system 5 (e.g., on door 15, sides 23A, 23B, rear wall 25, base 31, framework 53, etc.).

Any or all of auxiliary sidewalls 62A, 62B, auxiliary top wall 64, auxiliary bottom wall 66, auxiliary door 68, and auxiliary rear face 70 typically may be made of similar material as rest of locker system 5 (e.g., metals, plastics, composites, wood, combinations thereof, and/or the like), and typically may be connected in similar fashions (e.g., interference fit, weldments, adhesives, fasteners, rivets, combinations thereof, and/or the like). For example, as depicted in FIG. 9, sidewalls 62A, 62B may be welded to, crimped onto, and/or otherwise connected to, top wall 64, bottom wall 66, and/or rear face 70. In other implementations, sidewalls 62A, 62B, top wall 64, bottom wall 66, and/or rear face 70 may be unitary and/or formed from a single piece. For example, sidewalls 62A, 62B, top wall 64, bottom wall 66, and rear face 70 may all be a singular, stamped and folded piece of metal to form a seamless volume that may then be enclosed by auxiliary door 68.

Typically, auxiliary door 68, as depicted in FIG. 9, may be pivotably connected to top wall 64 and bottom wall 66. For example, one or more pivot points 80 may be formed in or through top wall 64, bottom wall 66, and/or auxiliary door 68 to allow retention and pivot of door 68. For example, door 68 may have pivot points 80 shaped as projections, and top wall 64 and/or bottom wall 66 may then have pivot points 80 shaped to receive those projections. In other implementations, door 68 may be connected to sidewalls 62A, 62B, top wall 64, bottom wall 66, and/or rear face 70 by other mechanisms, such as hinges, spring closures, magnetic closures, straps, and/or the like.

Auxiliary locker unit 60 itself may be connected to front wall 15, sides 23A, 23B, rear wall 25, base 31, framework 53, sidewalls 62A, 62B, top wall 64, bottom wall 66, and/or rear face 70, depending on the desired location of unit 60 (described further below), by way of fasteners, adhesives, hook and loop fabric, receiving tabs/structures, maze grooves, and/or the like. For example, unit 60 may simply be attached with bolts and nuts, screwed into framework 53, connected with double-sided adhesive, welded to system 5 component (e.g., front door 15, sides 23A, 23B, rear wall 25, framework 53, and/or the like), latched onto receiving structures on system 5 components (e.g., front door 15, sides 23A, 23B, rear wall 25, framework 53, and/or the like), and/or the like. Locker unit 60 typically may be permanently affixed (or at least difficult to remove without great effort); however, other implementations may temporarily affix locker unit 60 and allow removal with authority verification mechanisms (e.g., keys, RFID tags, and/or the like), which disengage locker unit 60 for removal.

Auxiliary actuator 74 typically may be one or more actuating mechanisms (e.g., knobs, handles, tumblers, combination locks, and/or the like) that a user may interact with to open auxiliary locker 60. Actuator 74 typically then may be connected to auxiliary locking member 76, which typically interfaces with front wall 15, sides 23A, 23B, rear wall 25, base 31, framework 53, sidewalls 62A, 62B, top wall 64, bottom wall 66, and/or rear face 70 to prevent auxiliary door 68 from opening. For example, as depicted in FIG. 9, actuator 76 may be a lock cylinder (or similarly lockable mechanism) that when actuated pivots locking member 76 into a locked (or unlocked) position (depicted in sidewall 62B, but other such locking areas may be chosen as desired and possible given the design). Typically, locking mechanism may be in an unlocked position when in auxiliary unlocked plane 88 and a locked position when in auxiliary locked plane 90; however, other implementations may place locking member 76 in other orientations and unlocked plane 88 and locked plane 90 may be correspondingly varied. Thus, when auxiliary door 68 is closed against the rest of locker unit 60 (i.e., in auxiliary closed plane 84), and actuator 74 is pivoted into a locked position, auxiliary locker unit 60 would remain locked and closed even when locker system 5, front door 15, and master door 51 are open.

In some other implementations, actuator 74 may be integral with front door 15 to provide access both to interior volume 11 and auxiliary volume 72. In one such example, a simple pull handle may provide access to interior volume 11, but upon entry of a combination, key, authentication with RFID tag, or other authentication mechanisms, the same pull handle may open auxiliary volume 72, or alternatively both interior volume 11 and auxiliary volume 72. In another implementation, multiple actuators 74 may be used to open interior volume 11 and auxiliary volume 72, such that one actuator 74 opens front door 15, and the other actuator 74 is locked via key, combination, and/or the like and opens auxiliary volume 72.

FIGS. 8A-8D depict various implementations of auxiliary locker 60 placement within locker system 5. For example, FIG. 8A depicts auxiliary lockers 60 attached with auxiliary connection members to framework 53, with some lockers 60 being accessible before opening front door 15, and others being accessible once front door 15 is opened. FIG. 8B depicts auxiliary lockers 60 connected using connection members 60 between front door 15 and auxiliary rear face 70, each auxiliary locker 60 openable once front door 15 is opened. FIG. 8C depicts auxiliary lockers 60 connected inside interior volumes 11, such as to rear wall 25, sides 23A, 23B, and/or base 31, and typically located along length of interior volume 11 walls. In such an implementation, auxiliary door 68 may, for example, swing into interior volume 11 and auxiliary locking member 76 may interface with rear wall 25, sides 23A, 23B, and/or base 31 as desired. FIG. 8D depicts another form of auxiliary locker 60, located on base 31, which typically may be smaller in vertical size but protrude further into interior volume 11. Such implementation may, for example, be useful to keep auxiliary locker 60 out of the way, give easier access to locker 60 when interior volume 11 is occupied by bulky clothing, for storing heavier items, and/or the like.

Thus, auxiliary locker 60 typically may enable locker system 5 users to store private and/or valuable belongings, which otherwise may be exposed when front door 15 and/or master door 51 are opened. Auxiliary locker 60 may increase security and/or adoption of locker system 5 over traditional locker systems, while still affording the vast improvements of bulk access to locker banks 17.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that the embodiments have been shown and described in the foregoing specification in satisfaction of the best mode and enablement requirements. It is understood that one of ordinary skill in the art could readily make a nigh-infinite number of insubstantial changes and modifications to the above-described embodiments and that it would be impractical to attempt to describe all such embodiment variations in the present specification. Accordingly, it is understood that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.

Claims

1. A locker system, comprising:

a plurality of adjacently disposed lockers, each respective locker defining a respective base portion; first and second respective sidewalls extending from the respective base portion; a respective back wall extending between the respective sidewalls; and a respective front door disposed opposite the back wall and pivotably connected to a master door member; and

a plurality of auxiliary lockers, each respective auxiliary locker defining an auxiliary volume by an auxiliary bottom wall; a first and a second respective auxiliary sidewalls extending from the respective auxiliary bottom wall; a respective auxiliary rear face extending between the respective auxiliary sidewalls; an auxiliary top wall extending from the respective auxiliary rear face and across the first and the second respective auxiliary sidewalls, and a respective auxiliary door disposed opposite the auxiliary rear face;

wherein each respective front door is pivotable between a closed position and an open position;

wherein each respective auxiliary locker is disposed on a respective front door;

wherein each respective auxiliary door is pivotable between a closed position and an open position; and

wherein each respective auxiliary locker is independently lockable to substantially enclose the auxiliary volume and;

wherein opening the master door member opens each of the plurality of adjacently disposed lockers but does not open any respective auxiliary locker.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a respective first elongated track connected to each respective first sidewall;

a respective second, oppositely disposed elongated track connected to each respective second sidewall; and

a respective first elongated member for supporting a plurality of clothing hangers and operationally connected between each two respective oppositely disposed, elongated tracks wherein each respective first elongated member is slideable between a respective first, proximal and lower position and a respective second, distal and elevated position; and

wherein each respective first elongated member may be locked into the respective second position.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the tracks are diagonally oriented with respect to the front door and back wall.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the first elongated member is disposed seventy-five inches from the base portion and three and a half inches from the front door when the front door is in the closed position; and wherein the first elongated member is disposed eighty-two inches from the base portion and eleven and a half inches from the front door when the front door is in the closed position.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein each respective first elongated member is disposed twenty-six inches from each respective base portion and three and a half inches from the front door when the front door is in the closed position; and wherein each respective first elongated member is disposed thirty-four inches from each respective base portion and eleven and a half inches from the front door in the closed position.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the first elongated member is in the second position; and further comprising a second elongated member in the first position.

7. (canceled)

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an auxiliary actuator extending through the auxiliary door; and

an auxiliary locking member operationally connected to the auxiliary actuator;

wherein pivoting the auxiliary actuator also pivots the auxiliary locking member between a locked position and an unlocked position.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of auxiliary connection members, each respective auxiliary connection member operationally connecting each respective auxiliary locker to each respective locker.

10. A locker system, comprising:

a plurality of adjacently disposed lockers defining a row, wherein each respective locker further comprises: first and second spaced sidewalls; a back wall extending between the respective sidewalls; a front door plane disposed opposite the back wall and between the respective sidewalls; a base portion connected to the respective spaced sidewalls and the back wall; a first elongated track connected to the first sidewall; a second, oppositely disposed elongated track connected to the second sidewall; and an elongated member for supporting a plurality of clothing hangers and operationally connected between the two oppositely disposed, elongated tracks;

a frame portion pivotably connected to the row;

a plurality of locker doors operationally connected to the frame portion, wherein each respective door occupies a respective front door plane; and

a plurality of auxiliary lockers, each respective auxiliary locker connected to a respective locker door and defining an auxiliary volume with an auxiliary bottom wall; a first and a second respective auxiliary sidewalls extending from the respective auxiliary bottom wall; a respective auxiliary rear face extending between the respective auxiliary sidewalls; an auxiliary top wall extending from the respective auxiliary rear face and across the first and the second respective auxiliary sidewalls, and a respective auxiliary door disposed opposite the auxiliary rear face;

wherein opening the frame portion opens each of the adjacently disposed lockers but does not open any respective auxiliary locker;

wherein the elongated member is repositionable between a first, proximal and lower position adjacent the front door plane and a second, distal and elevated position adjacent the back wall;

wherein the elongated member may be locked into the second position;

wherein the tracks are diagonally oriented with respect to the front door plane and back walls;

wherein each respective auxiliary door is pivotable between a closed position defined by an auxiliary closed plane and an open position outside the auxiliary closed plane; and

wherein each respective auxiliary locker is independently lockable to substantially enclose the auxiliary volume while the auxiliary door is in the closed position.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the first position is disposed seventy-five inches from the base portion and three and a half inches from the front door plane; and wherein the second position is disposed eighty-two inches from the base portion and eleven and a half inches from the front door plane.

12. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

a plurality of shelves disposed within and operationally connected to each respective locker;

wherein the base portion is one of the plurality of shelves;

wherein the first position is disposed twenty-seven inches from the plurality of shelves disposed immediately below the first position and three and a half inches from the front door plane; and

wherein the second position is disposed thirty-four inches from the plurality of shelves disposed immediately below the second position and eleven and a half inches from the front door plane.

13. (canceled)

14. The system of claim 10, further comprising:

an auxiliary actuator extending through the auxiliary door; and

an auxiliary locking member operationally connected to the auxiliary actuator;

wherein pivoting the auxiliary actuator also pivots the auxiliary locking member between a locked position defined by an auxiliary locked plane and an unlocked position defined by an auxiliary unlocked plane.

15. The system of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of auxiliary connection members, each respective auxiliary connection member operationally connecting each respective auxiliary locker to each respective locker.

16-20. (canceled)