Patent Application
20060108303
The present invention relates to storage units and more particularly, relates to storage units articulately mounted to a wall.
Existing products commonly found in the marketplace include clothes rods that may be affixed to a wall on either end or that are suspended underneath a shelf, usually at an elevation of approximately six feet from the floor. Some clothes rod installations may include a dual rod “stacked” arrangement with an upper and lower rod. In these “stacked” arrangements, the higher rod is typically at an elevation of approximately six feet from the floor and the lower rod is typically at an elevation of approximately three feet. The “drop” (i.e., the distance between the rod and the closest object beneath the rod) is typically approximately three feet for both the higher and lower rod.
While these known clothes rod arrangements are extremely popular, they suffer from several limitations. For example, these known clothes rod arrangements fail to utilize all the existing space. As mentioned, the upper rod is typically at an elevation of approximately six feet from the floor. However, most interior rooms are typically eight feet or taller in height. Consequently, height above the upper rod (which is typically at least two feet or more) which constitutes potential storage space is not utilized or is under utilized at best.
Placing the upper rod any higher than six feet also presents problems. For example, shorter people and those with disabilities often have difficulty reaching the upper rod even at a height of six feet. It is often necessary for these people to utilize step stools, ladders, clothing hooks, and the like (i.e., assisting devices) to facilitate access to the upper rods. Unfortunately, these assisting devices constitute a well-documented safety hazard, especially for people with disabilities.
Another disadvantage of the known clothes rod arrangements is that there is often not enough space beneath the rods to allow longer objects (such as dresses and the like) to hang freely. For example, in the stacked arrangement, the drop is typically only three feet. Many dresses, for example, are significantly longer than three feet. As a result, these garments must often be folded or stored elsewhere.
Accordingly, what is needed is an apparatus that allows efficient use of substantially all the available storage space. The device should allow for easy access to everything stored without the need of assisting devices. Additionally, the device should preferably maximize the drop between rods, thereby facilitating storing longer objects such as dresses and the like.
It is important to note that the present invention is not intended to be limited to a system or method which must satisfy one or more of any stated objects or features of the invention. It is also important to note that the present invention is not limited to the preferred, exemplary, or primary embodiment(s) described herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the following claims.
According to one embodiment, the present invention features a storage device for storing at least one article. The storage device features a mount adapted to be secured to a vertical face of a wall. A first end of a frame is pivotably secured to the mount such that the frame pivots about a substantially vertical axis of the wall between an elevated position and a lowered position. At least one article support member is secured to a second end of the frame. The article support member is adapted to support at least one article (such as a garment or the like) and optionally includes a support rod. The support rod is preferably disposed substantially perpendicular to the frame and is preferably adjustable in length (for example, the support rod may be telescopic). Additionally, balancing means are connected to the frame that urges the frame towards the elevated position and towards the lowered position. When the storage device is disposed in the elevated position, the article support member is disposed at a height greater than when the storage device is disposed in the lowered position.
The frame preferably includes at least two side members. The article support member is connected proximate first ends of the side members and at least two mounts are connected proximate second ends of the side members. Optionally, the frame further includes a bottom tube connected proximate the second ends of the two side members.
The balancing means preferably includes at least one gas strut, and optionally includes at least two gas struts arranged such that they are substantially opposed to each other. The storage device may include an adjustable torque mechanism that adjusts a torque exerted by the frame against the balancing means. The adjustable torque mechanism preferably features at least one weight moveably connected along the frame. A torque sensing mechanism preferably automatically adjusts the torque against the balancing means such that the storage device moves in a predetermined manner.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings herein:
According to one embodiment, the present invention features a storage device 10,
The storage rod 14 may have a fixed length, or alternatively has an adjustable length. In the preferred embodiment, ends 15 of the storage rod 14 are telescopic such that the overall length of the storage rod 14 may be adjusted. It is important to note that the storage rod 14 may also include other devices storing or holding objects such as, but not limited to, storage containers or bins (which may be either permanently or removably mounted to the storage device 10), shelves, and the like.
The storage device 10 also features a frame 13 that is secured to the wall 12 with at least one mount 18 such as, but not limited to, a bushing (for example a ball-bearing bushing or the like) disposed within housing. The storage rod 14 is secured proximate a distal end 54 of the frame 13, preferably substantially parallel to the wall 12.
The frame 13 optionally includes a bottom tube 16 that is pivotably mounted to the wall 12 by the mounts 18 and at least one side bar 20 (preferably two or more). In the exemplary embodiment, the side bars 20 secure the storage rod 14 to the bottom tube 16 such that the storage rod 14 and side bars 20 pivot with the bottom bar 16 about a longitudinal axis A of the bottom bar 16. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the side bars 20 may be pivotably secured to the wall 12 using the mount 18 without the use of the bottom tube 16.
At least one dampener 22 and biasing device 24 (for example, but not limited to a strut, shock, or the like) is secured to the bottom tube 16 and to the wall 12. Alternatively, the dampener 22 and biasing device 24 may be secured directly to the side bar 20. In practice, the dampener 22 and biasing device 24 impart a force against the rotation of bottom tube 16, and consequently against the movement of the side bars 20 and ultimately against the storage rod 14 which provide control of the storage device 10 and aid the user while raising or lowering the storage rod 14. The dampening and biasing forces provided by the dampener 22 and biasing device 24 will vary depending on the dimensions of the storage device 10 as well as the load of the storage items, and is within the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art.
While the dampener 22 and biasing device 24 are shown as separate devices, the dampener 22 and biasing device 24 may also be combined into a single device. Additionally, automatically adjustable dampeners and biasing devices may be utilized. The storage device 10 may optionally feature a handle or the like 17 to aid in moving the storage device 10 between the lifted position and the lowered position.
According to another embodiment, the present invention features a storage device 10,
According to the preferred embodiment, the torque biasing mechanism 50 preferably includes at least one weight 52,
The torque biasing mechanism 50 may also include a torque adjusting mechanism 60. The torque adjusting mechanism senses the loads exerted on the storage device 10 including, but not limited to, the loads exerted by the dampener 22 and biasing device 24, the storage items, as well as the torque biasing mechanism 50, and adjusts the torque T of the torque biasing mechanism 50 such that the storage device 10 moves in a predetermined manner. Alternatively, the torque biasing mechanism 50 may be manually adjusted.
As mentioned above, the present invention is not intended to be limited to a system or method which must satisfy one or more of any stated or implied object or feature of the invention and should not be limited to the preferred, exemplary, or primary embodiment(s) described herein. The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as is suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the claims when interpreted in accordance with breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/630,143, filed Nov. 23, 2004, which is fully incorporated hereby by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60630143 | Nov 2004 | US |
