The present invention relates in general to racks for storing elongated objects, including but not limited to, ladders, lumber, and/or piping. More specifically, the purpose of the invention is to provide a freestanding ladder storage rack that can utilized individually or in series to store objects of varying lengths, sizes and kinds.
Storage racks are often utilized in the construction and agriculture industries to store a variety of elongated objects, including but not limited to, ladders, lumber, and/or piping. Such storage racks typically have three requirements: (i) stability; (ii) an efficient use of space; and (iii) convenience. To satisfy the first requirement, traditional storage racks are often wall-mounted to an interior wall of a facility, such as a warehouse, machine shed, or workshop. Other times or in addition thereto, traditional storage racks may rely upon interlocking cross-pieces that improve the strength and stability of the device during operation. While such customary techniques may satisfy the first requirement of stability, however, they often sacrifice the second and third requirements of efficiency and convenience, respectively.
For instance, traditional wall-mounted storage racks are often permanently or semi-permanently secured to the interior wall of a facility. Such permanent or semi-permanent securement may therefore prevent an entire side of the facility from being used for other purposes, which results in an inefficient use of space. If interlocking cross-pieces are utilized by the storage rack, problems also abound. Not only is the overall footprint size of the storage rack expanded, moreover, the storage rack may be incapable of being conveniently and quickly disassembled and moved if/when the need arises. Such traditional storage racks also lack the adjustability to fit varying lengths, sizes, and kinds of objects, thus limiting the use of the rack to certain sized objects. Traditional storage racks therefore have deficiencies in space-efficiency, adjustability, and convenient portability that leave much to be desired.
Thus what is needed is an improved storage rack that may be used to reliably support and store a variety of elongated objects, including but not limited to, ladders, lumber, and/or piping. What is further needed is an improved storage rack that fulfills each and every requirement of: (i) stability; (ii) an efficient use of space; and (iii) convenience. What is still further needed is an improved storage rack that is freestanding to avoid having to permanently, semi-permanently, or temporarily secure the device to an interior wall of a facility to provide for a more efficient use of space. What is also needed is an improved storage rack that does not require the use of interlocking cross-pieces to provide for convenient portability if/when the need arises. What is additionally needed is an improved storage rack that is adjustable in length and height to fit varying lengths, sizes and kinds of objects to provide for optimal storage capacity.
The present disclosure solves the aforementioned issues by providing an improved freestanding ladder storage rack that fulfills each and every requirement of: (i) stability; (ii) an efficient use of space; and (iii) convenience. In essence, the storage rack includes a vertical frame connected to a base frame to form an overall framework. A plurality of arms may be removably connected to the vertical frame, wherein the arms are designed to support objects thereon for storage purposes. Each arm may include a closed first end removably secured to the vertical frame and an opposite open second end for placing objects thereon. The arms may be adjustable in height along the vertical frame depending on requirements of the operator. The storage rack is freestanding without securement to a wall of a facility to provide for portability and space efficiency. The storage rack may be used independently or in series with at least one additional storage rack to store objects of varying lengths, sizes, and kinds.
In other instances, the present disclosure solves the aforementioned issues by providing a method of storing objects. In essence, the method may include providing the freestanding ladder storage rack of the present disclosure along with objects to be stored. The method may further include placing the storage rack adjacent to an interior wall of a facility without securing the rack to the wall. Additional storage racks may also be placed adjacent to the interior wall of the facility to create a series of storage racks. Because each storage rack is portable, the distance between each storage rack in series may be adjusted depending on the requirements of the operator. Likewise the height of each arm on the storage racks may also be adjusted. In some instances, arms of each storage rack in series may be positioned at a uniform height to provide support to objects stored across the series of storage racks. Finally, the objects may be placed on the arms of the storage racks for storage purposes.
Therefore, it is a principal object, feature, and/or advantage of the present disclosure to overcome the aforementioned deficiencies in the art and provide an improved storage rack that may be used to reliably support and store a variety of elongated objects, including but not limited to, ladders, lumber, and/or piping.
Another object, feature, and/or advantage of the present disclosure is to provide an improved storage rack that fulfills each and every requirement of: (i) stability; (ii) an efficient use of space; and (iii) convenience.
Yet another object, feature, and/or advantage of the present disclosure is to provide an improved storage rack that is freestanding to avoid having to permanently, semi-permanently, or temporarily secure the device to an interior wall of a facility to provide for a more efficient use of space.
A further object, feature, and/or advantage of the present disclosure is to provide an improved storage rack that does not require the use of interlocking cross-pieces to provide for convenient portability if/when the need arises.
A still further object, feature, and/or advantage of the present disclosure is to provide an improved storage rack that is adjustable in length and height to fit varying lengths, sizes, and kinds of objects to provide for optimal storage capacity.
Another object, feature, and/or advantage of the present disclosure is to provide an improved storage that is inexpensive to manufacture, convenient to use, and comprised of lightweight and durable materials.
Other objects, features, and advantages of this disclosure will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example and without limitation, certain aspects of this disclosure. The present disclosure is not to be limited to or by these objects, features, and advantages. No single aspect need provide each and every object, feature, or advantage. The scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover all such embodiments that may fall within the scope of the appended claims, either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.
Referring generally to
It must be noted that the singular terms “a,” “an,” and “the” as used herein may include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, in particular aspects, the terms “about” or “approximately” when preceding a numerical value indicates the value plus or minus a range of 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 or 0.5 inch. In other aspects, the terms “about” or “approximately” when preceding a numerical value indicates the value plus or minus a range of 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, or 1 inch. In still further aspects, the terms “about” or “approximately” when preceding a numerical value indicates the value plus or minus a range of 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 inches. In additional aspects, the terms “about” or “approximately” when preceding a numerical value indicates the value plus or minus a range of 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 inches. Furthermore the transitional phrase “comprising” that is synonymous with “including,” “containing,” and “characterized by” as used herein is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements, steps or ingredients. Alternatively the transitional phrase “consisting of” as used herein is closed and excludes any element, step or ingredient not specified. The term “generally” as used herein is defined as being mostly but not necessarily wholly that which is specified. The term “larger” as used herein is defined as exceeding most other things of like kind especially in size. The term “smaller” as used herein is defined as having a comparatively little size or slight dimensions.
In some instances, the front horizontal member 14 of the base frame 12 may include an advertisement panel (not shown) attached to a forward-facing exterior surface of the front horizontal member 14. The advertisement panel is designed for placing a logo thereon for commercial purposes by the manufacturer, and may comprise slightly larger dimensions than the front horizontal member 14. In other instances, the advertisement panel may simply comprise the forward-facing exterior surface of the front horizontal member 14 for placing a manufacturer's logo thereon.
Shown in
In some instances, the base frame 12 may further include at least four height adjustment knobs 24. The height adjustment knobs 24 may be positioned on a bottom surface of each corner of the base frame 12. Each height adjustment knob 24 may be independently height adjustable to assist with leveling the storage rack 10 on uneven surfaces. In other instances, the base frame 12 may not include the at least four height adjustment knobs 24, wherein the base frame 12 simply rests upon a floor of the facility.
Further shown in
The vertical frame 26 may be connected to a top surface of the base frame 12 to form an overall framework for the storage rack 10. The vertical frame 26 and the base frame 12 may be formed integrally together in the manufacturing process, or alternatively, formed separately and thereafter attached together using, e.g., welds, adhesives, nuts/bolts, and/or screws, to form the overall framework. The vertical frame 26 and the base frame 12 may be formed of lightweight, durable materials such as, but not limited to, stainless steel, wood, plastics, metal, aluminum, or similar materials.
Still further shown in
In some instances, certain arms 34 may include a fixed end cap 40 rigidly secured to the open second end 38. In other instances, certain arms 14 may include an adjustable end cap 42 rotatably coupled to the open second end 38. In further instances, each parallel pair of arms 34 may include both a fixed end cap 40 and an adjustable end cap 42. The fixed end cap 40 is designed to prevent an object from unintentionally falling off the arm 34 and injuring an operator thereunder. The adjustable end cap 42 is designed to permit an operator to increase or decrease a stop angle 44. The stop angle 44 may be movable between a sharper incline to prevent an object from unintentionally falling off the arm 34 and a reduced incline to provide for easier placement on or removal of objects from the arm 34 without sacrificing the safety of the operator from unintentional falls.
Shown in
Further shown in
Still further shown in
Also shown in
Another aspect of the present disclosure is a method of storing elongated objects, including but not limited to, ladders, lumber, and/or piping, using the storage rack 10 disclosed in
The method may next comprise adjusting the height of the arms 34 of each storage rack 10 in series 72 using the attachment mechanism 66 and series of keyhole slots 70 to further fit varying lengths, sizes, and kinds of objects. Additionally, the arms 34 of each storage rack 10 in series 72 may be positioned at a uniform height to provide support to elongated objects stored across the series 72. The shelves 46 of each storage rack 10 may be transitioned to the upright position 48 or the downward position 50 depending on particular objects to be stored by the device. Optionally, the table 74 may be removably secured to the left side and right side vertical members 28, 30 of adjacent storage racks 10 in series 72 using the at least one attachment mechanism 66 and the series of keyhole slots 70 to provide for a workbench or additional storage space. After the arms 34, shelves 46, and optional table 74 are removably secured to the storage racks 10 at their desired position, objects may be stored thereon. Objects may be further stored using the peg board 52 for mounting, storing and accessing tool accessories, along with the cubicle 22 of the base frame 12 for storing additional materials, such as but not limited to an open box or closed container for holding smaller objects. Thus, the method of using the storage rack 10 of the present disclosure provides for adjustability in length and height to fit varying lengths, sizes, and kinds of objects to provide for optimal storage capacity.
The freestanding ladder storage rack 10 and method of use of the present disclosure are universally applicable to ladders of all makes, manners and manufacturers. Furthermore, the storage rack 10 is designed to be inexpensive to manufacture, convenient to use, and comprised of lightweight and durable materials. Although the disclosure has been described and illustrated with respect to preferred aspects thereof, it is not to be so limited since changes, modifications, and combinations thereof may be made which are within the full intended scope of the disclosure.
This application is a Continuation in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/775,614 filed Mar. 24, 2021, which is a Continuation in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/752,077 filed Sep. 24, 2020, herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
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| Uline, https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/H-3846/Bar-and-Pipe-Storage-Racks/Cantilever-Rack-Single-Sided-80-x-40-x-96?pricode=WA9625&gadtype=pla&id=H-3846&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=CjwKCAiAyeTxBRBvEiwAuM8dnfEUmUwkyd4lYgT6nKexvpObrdgwJY3H--M2ggtPS5JEn6nU5wZthRoCWUoQAvD_BWE. |
| Arms for Series 2000 Medium-Heavy Cantilever Racks, http://materialhandlingsolutions.theonlinecatalog.com/products/arms-for-series-2000-medium-heavy-duty-cantiliver-racks/h2sa12l/?gclid=CjwKCAiAgc-ABhA7EiwAjev-j0_iKRnlWKDiHEcw2fGZMDaZYNMT8w5PrXH30IGG8wMediJDAgSaUxoC0eYQAvD_BwE (Year: 2020). |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20230413995 A1 | Dec 2023 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 29775614 | Mar 2021 | US |
| Child | 18465957 | US | |
| Parent | 29752077 | Sep 2020 | US |
| Child | 29775614 | US |