Patent Grant
10786075
Applicant has realized that there is a need for better storage systems. More particularly, Applicant realized that there is a need for better modular storage systems for use in closets or to create closet-like storage for the storage of items such as clothes, hangars, jewelry, and shoes.
Storage systems herein contain a frame system, one or more rod attachment systems, and one or more storage containers or shelves. The storage systems may be assembled and re-assembled by a user at a desired location.
An exemplary storage container comprises: a flexible bottom having a first edge, a second edge, a third edge, and a forth edge; a first end extending from the first edge of the bottom to a first height substantially the same as a height of a shelf opening of the storage system; a second end extending from the third edge of the bottom to a second height less than the height of the shelf opening; a first side wall extending from the second edge of the bottom to a point substantially equivalent to the first height near the first end and the second height near the second end; a second side wall extending from the fourth edge of the bottom to a point substantially equivalent to the first height near the first end and the second height near the second end; and a rigid insert receivable between the first and second ends and first and second side walls; wherein the first and second side walls are inwardly collapsible when the rigid insert is removed from the storage container; and wherein the storage container may be inserted into the shelf opening with either the first or second end facing outward from the storage system.
An exemplary rod attachment system comprises: a rod having a first end and a second end, the second end having a receiving portion a fastener having a cap portion with a first diameter and a projection portion with a second diameter, the first diameter being larger than the second diameter; and a connector having a planar portion and an arcuate portion, the planar portion having a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and an aperture extending from the first side to the second side and having a third diameter; wherein the third diameter is larger than the second diameter and smaller than the first diameter; and wherein the rod attachment system is securable to the storage system by disposing the arcuate portion over a support rod of the storage system, inserting the projection portion of the connector through the aperture from the first side to the second side, and securing the projection portion of the connector in the receiving portion of the rod.
An exemplary storage system comprises: a frame system comprising: a first side frame comprising a first leg, a second leg, a support rod connecting the first leg and second leg, and at least one shelving track extending horizontally between the first and second legs; a second side frame comprising a third leg, a fourth leg, a support rod connecting the third and fourth legs, and at least one shelving track extending horizontally between the third and fourth legs; and at least one connector bar connecting the first side frame and the second side frame; a rod attachment system comprising; a rod having a first end, a second end, and a receiving portion in the second end; a connector having an arcuate portion, a planar portion, and an aperture through the planar portion; and a fastener having a cap portion and a projection portion, the projection portion being securable within the receiving portion of the rod; and a mount having a rod receiving portion and being securable to a wall.
Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description of embodiments using the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:
This Detailed Description merely describes exemplary embodiments of the invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims in any way. Indeed, the invention as claimed is broader than and unlimited by the preferred embodiments, and the terms used in the claims have their full ordinary meaning.
Referring to
Turning to
The first and second side frames 14,16 each include a first leg 20, a second leg 22, a horizontal support rod 40, and one or more shelving tracks 50. The first and second legs 20, 22 are generally cylindrical tubes which extend in the vertical direction and each have an outer circumferential leg surface 24, an upper end 26, an upper portion 28 near the upper end 26, a lower end 30, a lower portion 32 near the lower end 30, and at least one lateral aperture 36. The first and second legs 20, 22 may be substantially hollow or may have hollowed portions near the upper and/or lower portions 28, 32 extending inwardly from the upper and lower ends 26, 30 and defining a circumferential inner leg surface 34. The first and second legs 20, 22 may include lateral apertures 36 in the upper and lower portions 28, 32 which are aligned along the length of the first and second legs 20, 22. The lateral apertures 36 may extend through the first and second legs 20, 22.
The outer circumferential leg surface 24 and circumferential inner leg surface 34 of the first and second legs 20, 22 may be sized and shaped such that the lower portion 32 of one first or second leg 20, 22 may fit on top of and/or around the outer circumferential leg surface 24 of the upper portion 28 of another first or second leg 20, 22. For example, the outer circumferential leg surface 24 of the first and second legs 20, 22 may be inwardly tapered or otherwise reduced in diameter near the upper portion 28 close to the upper end 26, the first and second legs 20, 22 may include one or more projections 38 extending vertically from the upper end 26 having a diameter which is receivable in the lower portion 32 of the first or second leg 20, 22, and/or the outer circumferential leg surface 24 and circumferential inner leg surface 34 of the first and second legs 20, 22 may be outwardly flared or otherwise expanded near the lower portion 32 close to the lower end 30.
As shown in
When the first and second side frames 14, 16 are aligned in parallel, the lateral apertures 36 of the first and second legs 20, 22 of the first side frame 14 are respectively aligned with the lateral apertures 36 of the first and second legs 20, 22 of the second side frame 16. In a preferred embodiment, the lateral apertures 36 of the first legs 20 are in the same horizontal plane as the lateral apertures 36 of the second legs 22.
The first and second sides 14, 16 may be attached together by one or more connector bars 18 horizontally connecting the first leg 20 of the first side frame 14 to the first leg 20 of the second side frame 16 and one or more connector bars 18 connecting the second leg 22 of the first side frame 14 to the second leg 22 of the second side frame 16. Each connector bar 18 may have a first end 21, a second end 23, and an outer circumferential bar surface 25 extending between the first end 21 and the second end 23. In one embodiment, the connector bar 18 has threaded bores 27 extending inwardly from the first and second ends 21, 23. The threaded bores 27 may be sized, shaped, and threaded to threadingly receive a screw or other suitable fastener.
In one embodiment, the connector bars 18 are separate from the first and second side frames 14, 16 and may be connected, fastened, or otherwise secured to the first and second side frames 14, 16 by a user. The connector bars 18 may be connected between the first and second side frames 14, 16 by any suitable means. For example, the connectors 18 may be connected to the first and second side frame 14, 16 by extending a screw, nail, bolt, or other suitable fastener through the lateral apertures 36 of the first and second legs 20, 22 and into the threaded bores 27 of the connector bar 18. Further, the frame system 12 may also include one or more spacers 48 disposed between the first and second legs 20, 22 and connector bars 18. The spacers 48 may be substantially cylindrical with a flat end which abuts the first or second end 21, 23 of the connector bar 18 and a curved or rounded end which abuts the outer circumferential leg surface 24 of the first or second leg 20, 22. As the first and second legs 20, 22 have a round outer circumferential leg surface 24 and the ends of the connector bars 18 are generally flat, the spacers 48 provide a snug connection between the connector bars 18 and the first and second legs 20, 22. In other embodiments, the connectors 18 may be pre-attached to the first and second side frames 14, 16 such that the one or more connectors 18, the first side frame 14, and the second side 16 form a single shelving frame.
As shown in
Referring to
The shelving tracks 50 may further include one or more shelf apertures 63 in the horizontal wall 58 extending from bottom face 62 to the top face 60. The shelf apertures 63 may be inset from the front and rear ends of the shelving track 50 and disposed along the length of the shelving track 50. The shelf apertures 63 may be sized to receive a screw, bolt, nail, or other fastener.
When the first and second side frames 14, 16 are connected, as detailed below, the space between the inside face 56 of the vertical wall 52 of a shelving track 50 secured to the first side frame 14 and the inside face 56 of the vertical wall 52 of a correspondingly positioned shelving track 50 secured to the second side frame 16 defines a width of a shelf opening H. The space between the top face 60 of those two shelving tracks 50 and the bottom faces 62 of two shelving tracks 50 positioned successively above the two shelving tracks 50, or, for the top-most shelving tracks 50 of the side frame 14, 16, the connector bar 18 connecting the side frames 14, 16 above the top-most shelving tracks 50, defines a height of the shelf opening H. The shelf opening H has a depth which extends substantially the depth of the shelving tracks 50 and/or the first and second side frames 14, 16. The connector bars 18 connecting the lower portions 32 of the first legs 20 of the first and second side frames 14, 16 and the connector bars 18 connecting the lower portions 32 of the second legs 22 of the first and second side frames 14, 16 may be disposed below the bottom-most shelving tracks 50 such that the connector bars 18 do not disrupt the shelf opening H. The connector bars 18 connecting the upper portions 28 of the first legs 20 of the first and second side frames 14, 16 and the connector bars 18 connecting the upper portions 28 of the second legs 22 of the first and second side frames 14, 16 may be disposed a distance above the top-most shelving tracks 50 which is equal to the distance between the lower shelving tracks 50 such that the shelf opening H above the top-most shelving tracks 50 is substantially the same size as the other shelf openings H.
In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second side frame 14, 16 each have four shelving tracks 50. However, the first and second sides 14, 16 may have any number of shelving tracks 50. For example, the first and second sides 14, 16 may have one, two, three, or five or more shelving tracks 50 disposed between the first and second legs 20, 22.
In an optional embodiment, as shown in
In one such embodiment, the lower portions 32 of the first and second legs 20b, 22b of the upper first and second side frames 14b, 16b may be placed on the upper end 26 of the first and second legs 20a, 22a of the lower first and second side frame 14a, 16a such that the upper ends 26 of the first and second legs 20a, 22a of the lower first and second side frames 14a, 16a may extend into the lower end 30 of the first and second legs 20b, 22b of the upper first and second side frame 14b, 16b. For example, the projections 38 of the first and second legs 20a, 22a of the lower first and second side frames 14a, 16a may extend into and be received within the circumferential inner leg surface 34 of the first and second legs 20b, 22b of the upper first and second side frame 14b, 16b. The projections 38 and circumferential inner leg surfaces 34 may be sized and shaped such that the projections 38 fit snugly within the circumferential inner leg surfaces 34. The lower first and second side frames 14a, 16a may support the upper first and second side frames 14b, 16b and the upper first and second side frames 14a, 16a may be secured in the lower first and second side frames 14a, 16a by the weight of the upper first and second side frames 14b, 16b and the force of gravity. However, the upper first and second side frames 14b, 16b may be secured or additionally secured in the lower first and second side frames 14a, 16a by additional means. For example, the lower portions 32 of the first and second legs 20b, 22b of the upper first and second side frames 14b, 16b may be secured in the upper portions 28 of the first and second legs 20a, 22a of the lower first and second side frames 14a, 16a by screws, bolts, nails, or other suitable fasteners, spring mechanisms, latches, magnets, or any other suitable means. The process may be repeated with additional pairs of first and second side frames 14, 16 on top of the upper first and second side frames 14b, 16b.
The first and second legs 20, 22 may also include a support flange 66 located at the upper portions 28 near the upper ends 26 and extending proximally inward and angled toward the opposite leg 22, 20 of the other side frame 14, 16. The support flange 66 may have a substantially flat upper surface 68, a lower surface 70 opposite the upper surface 68, and a plate aperture 72 in the upper surface 68 and extending through the support flange 66 to the lower surface 70. In the illustrated embodiment, the support flange 60 has a rounded edge. However, it will be understood that the support flange 66 may have any suitable shape which may support a top plate, as detailed below. For example, the support flange 66 may be rectangular, triangular, or any other suitable shape.
The frame system 12 may also include a rectangular top plate 74 having a top surface 76 and a bottom surface 78 which may be connected, attached, or otherwise secured to the upper portions 28 of the top-most first and second legs 20, 22 of the frame system 12. The top plate 74 may be a substantially flat plate or shelf having a with at least equivalent to the distance between the distal sides 19 of the first and second side frames 14, 16 and a depth at least equivalent to the distance between the upper ends 26 of the first and second legs 20, 22 of each of the first and second side frames 14, 16.
The top plate 74 may include bores 80 extending from the bottom surface 78 toward or to the top surface 76. The bores 80 may be disposed in the bottom surface 78 such that the bores 80 align with the plate apertures 72 of the first and second legs 20, 22 of the upper most first and second side frames 14, 16 when the frame system 12 is assembled. In one embodiment, the bores 80 are threaded. However, in other embodiments, the bores 80 may be unthreaded. The top plate 74 may be secured to the first and second side frame 14, 16 by inserting a screw, bolt, nail, or other suitable fastener through the support flanges 66 from the lower surface 70 to the upper surface 68 and into the bores 80 of the top plate 74.
The frame system 12 may further include one or more feet 82 attached to the bottom-most legs of the frame system 12, either the first and second legs 20, 22 of a single tiered frame system 12 or the first and second legs 20a, 22a of the lower first and second side frames 14a, 16a of a multi-tiered frame system 12. The feet 82 may have a ground contact face 84 which engages a floor or ground surface on which the frame system 12 is disposed and a connecting portion 86 which connects the feet 82 to one of the first or second leg 20, 22. The ground contact face 84 is substantially flat and has a surface area which is larger than the cross-sectional area of the first and second legs 20, 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the ground contact faces 84 are circular. However, the ground contact faces 84 may be any other suitable shape. For example, the ground contact faces 84 may be rectangular, triangular, oval, or any other suitable shape.
The connecting portion 86 of the feet 82 may connect or secure the feet to either the lower ends 30 or lower portions 32 of the first or second legs 20, 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting portions 86 are hollow cylinders which extend upwardly from the ground surfaces 84. The cylinder is sized to snugly fit around the outer circumferential surface 24 of the lower portions 32 of the first or second legs 20, 22. In such embodiment, the feet 82 may be placed over the lower ends 30 of the first or second legs 20, 22 and the frame system 12 may then be place on a floor or ground surface. However, the feet 82 may be any other suitable design. For example, the connecting portions 86 of the feet 82 may be sized and shape to be secured in the lower ends 30 of the first or second legs 20, 22 by threads, spring loaded latches, securely fitting in the insider diameter 34 of the lower ends 30, magnets, or any other suitable securement methods.
When the feet 82 are secured to the first and second legs 20, 22 the ground contact faces 84 are substantially perpendicular to the length of the first and second legs 20, 22. As the ground contact faces 84 are substantially flat and have a diameter larger than the cross-sectional diameter of the first and second legs 20, 22, the feet 82 more evenly distribute the weight of the frame system 12 and thereby better stabilize the frame system 12 on the floor or other ground surface on which the frame system 12 is disposed. Additionally, the ground contact faces 84 of the feet 82 may be padded, coated or otherwise protect the floor or other surface on which the frame system 12 is disposed and prevent the frame system 12 from moving, shifting, slipping, or sliding on the floor or other surface.
Turning to
Referring to
In one embodiment, as shown in
In a second embodiment, as shown in
In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second end walls 108, 110 have a width of about 16.125 inches and the first and second side walls 112, 114 have a width of about 15.5 inches. the first height 109 of the first end wall 108 is about 8.125 inches and the second height 111 of the second end wall 110 is about 5.5 inches.
The first and second ends wall 108, 110 and the first and second side walls 112, 114 each have an interior face 116 which faces one of the other of the first and second end walls 108, 110 and the first and second side walls 112, 114 and an exterior face 118 opposite the interior face 116. The top surface 104 of the base 102 and the interior faces 116 of the first and second end walls 108, 110 and the first and second side walls 112, 114, when extending upwardly from the base 102 define an interior space J. When the first and second end walls 108, 110 and the first and second side walls 112, 114 extend upwardly from the base 102, clothing, jewelry, shoes, and other similar items may be placed in the in the interior space J of the storage container 100.
The first and second end walls 108, 110 and first and second side walls 112, 114 may be substantially rigid such that the first and second end walls 108, 110 and first and second side walls 112, 114 may stand upright in an erected position, as detailed below. The first and second end walls 108, 110 and first and second side walls 112, 114 may also be constructed from a material or in a manner that is relatively soft such that it is comfortable when a user touches it. For example, the first and second end walls 108, 110 and first and second side walls 112, 114 may be constructed of one or more inserts composed of cardboard, paperboard, cellulose, plastic, or other suitable material which is at least semi-rigid, encased in a fabric or cloth. The corners between the first and second end walls 108, 110 and first and second side walls 112, 114 may also be constructed such that the first and second end walls 108, 110 and first and second side walls 112, 114 may pivot, fold, or otherwise be moved at the respective corners, as detailed below. For example, the fabric casings of the first and second end walls 108, 110 and first and second side walls 112, 114 may be sewn or stitched together at the respective corners. In a further embodiment, the storage container 100 may include a binding along one or more of the first height 109 of the first end wall 108, the second height 111 of the second end wall 110, the first top edge 113 of the first side wall 112, and the second top edge 115 of the second side wall 114. The binding may be fabric, cloth, or other suitable material.
In one embodiment, as shown in
As shown in
In an optional embodiment, the insert 122 may include a lateral fold 123 which divides the insert 122 into a first insert portion 122a and a second insert portion 122b. The first insert portion 122a and the second insert portion 122b may be two separate inserts with a stitching therebetween separating the two portions 122a, 122b. The lateral fold 123 may be oriented such that the insert 122 does not fold or collapse when the insert is disposed in the storage container 100.
As depicted in
In one embodiment, the storage container 100 may be sized, shaped, and designed such that the storage container 100, when in the first or erected position, may be inserted into one of the shelf openings H of the frame system 12 along the shelving tracks 50 with either the first end wall 108 or second end wall 110 facing outwardly from the shelf opening H and with the other of the first and second end walls 108, 110 abutting the stop flange 64 of the shelving tracks 50. As such, either the first end wall 108 or the second end wall 110 may define a front face of the shelf opening H. When the first end wall 108 defines the front face of the shelf opening H, the first end wall 108 extends to substantially the same height as the shelving tracks 50 or connector bar 18 successive above the shelving tracks 50 on which the storage container 100 is disposed. As such, the contents and interior of the storage container 100 would not be visible to a user when the storage container 100 is fully inserted into the shelf opening H. When the second end wall 110 defines the front face of the shelf opening H, there is a gap between the top of the second end wall 110 and the shelving tracks 50 successively above the shelving tracks 50 on which the storage container 100 is disposed. As such, the contents and interior space J of the storage container 100 may be visible to a user when the storage container 100 is fully inserted into the shelf opening H.
In an optional embodiment, the first end wall 108 and/or the second end wall 110 may have a handle 124 disposed on the exterior face 118. The one or more handles 124 may be designed such that a user may grasp one of the handles 124 with his or her hand and move the storage container 100. The handle 124 may allow a user to push, pull, or otherwise move the storage container 100 in and out of the shelf opening H. In the illustrated embodiment, the handles 124 are attached to the first and second end walls 108, 110 by two rivets extending through opposite ends of the handle 124 through the handle 124 and into the end wall 108, 110. However, in other embodiments, the handle 124 may be attached or secured to the exterior face 118 of the first or second end wall 108, 110 by fasteners, glue, or other suitable attachment means.
As shown in
The storage container 100 may also include one or more liners 126 disposed in the interior space J of the storage container 100 along the first and/or second side walls 112, 114. The liners 126 may be secured or attached to the interior space J of the storage container 100 along three sides of the liner 126 such that the liner 126 defines a pocket with the interior of the storage container 100. The liner 126 may be secured to the storage container 100 along the crease between the base 102 and the first or second side wall 112, 114, along the corner formed between the first end wall 108 and the first or second side wall 112, 114, and along the corner formed between the second end wall 110 and the first or second side wall 112, 114. As such, the liner 126 defines a pocket having an opening facing the top of the storage container 100. The liner 126 may be cloth, mesh, plastic, or other suitable fabric. The liner 216 may also have an elastic band 128 within or attached to the top portion of the liner 126 such that the opening of the liner 126 may be biased toward the first or second side wall 112, 114. The pocket formed between the liner 126 and the interior of the storage container 100 may store smaller items such as jewelry, socks, underwear, or any other similarly sized items.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
While the liners 126 have been described as being disposed along the first and second side walls 112, 114, the liners 126 may be similarly disposed along the first and/or second end walls 108, 110, either in addition to or instead of being disposed along the first and second side walls 112, 114.
In a second embodiment, either alternatively or additionally to the storage system 10 with storage containers 100, the storage system 10 may include one or more shelves 150. The shelves 150 may be a generally rectangular plate and each shelf 150 may include an upper face 152, a lower face 154 opposite the upper face 152, side surfaces 153 extending between the upper and lower faces 152, 154 along the sides of the shelf 150, and end surfaces 155 extending between the upper and lower faces 152, 154 at the front and rear of the shelf 150. The upper and lower faces 152, 154 may have a width substantially equivalent to the distance between the vertical walls 52 of the shelving frames 50 attached to the first and second side frames 14, 16 and a depth substantially equivalent to the depths of the shelving tracks 50. The shelves 150 are designed and constructed to be disposed on the top face 60 of the horizontal wall 58 by two shelving tracks 50 defining a shelf opening H and support items such as clothing, jewelry, shoes, decorations, or other items on the shelf 150. The shelves 150 may be made of wood, metal, paperboard, plastic, or other suitable material. Further, the shelves 150 may be made of the same material as the top plate 74 and/or made to look similar to the top plate 74.
Each shelf 150 may have one or more shelf bores 156 disposed in the lower face 154 and extending toward the upper face 152. In one embodiment, the shelf bores 156 are threaded. In other embodiments, the shelf bores 156 are not threaded. The shelf bores 156 may be inset from the side surfaces 153 and disposed on the lower face 152 along the length of the side surface 153. The shelf bores 156 may align with the shelf apertures 63 of the shelving tracks 50 when the shelf 150 is disposed in the shelf opening H on two shelving tracks 50. A screw, bolt, nail, or other suitable fastener may be inserted through the shelf aperture 63 and into the shelf bore 156 to secure the shelf 150 in the frame system 12.
In use, the storage container 100 or shelf 150 may be inserted into the shelf opening H with a portion of the bottom surface 106 of the base 102 the storage container 100 or of lower surface 154 of the shelf 150 disposed on the top face 60 of the shelving tracks 50. The storage container 100 or shelf 150 may be pushed or slid into the shelf space H until a portion of the storage container 100 or shelf 150 abuts the stop flange 64 of the shelving tracks 50.
Turning to
As shown in
In one embodiment, the rod 202 is telescoping and has a first rod portion 202a having a first end 204a, a second end 206a, and a first outer circumferential surface 208a and a second rod portion 202b having a first end 204b, second end 206b, and a second outer circumferential surface 208b. The first outer circumferential surface 208a may have a diameter smaller than a diameter of the second outer circumferential surface 208b such that the second end 206a of the first rod portion 202a may fit within the first end 204b of the second rod portion 202b such that the rod 202 may telescope to different lengths. In such an embodiment, the rod 202 may further include a locking mechanism 209 which may secure the first rod portion 202a within the second rod portion 202b to fix the length of the rod 202. For example, the locking mechanism 209 may be a clamping mechanism which clamps the first and second rod portions 202a, 202b together when the first and/or second rod portion 202a, 202b is radially twisted, snaps, screws, bolts, or other fasteners, or any other suitable locking mechanisms. However, in other embodiments, the rod 202 is a substantially solid bar or cylinder which does not telescope or otherwise vary in length.
As shown in
As shown in
Turning to
Referring to
The mount 260 may be secured to a wall or similar surface at a height and position which is aligned with the aperture 232 in the planar portion 226 of the connector 224 when the connector 224 is hung from the support rod 40 such that the rod receiving portion 268 and the surface of the planar portion 226 extending away from the frame system 12 are directly facing each other. If the rod 202 is telescoping, the first and second rod portions 202a, 202b may be adjusted so that the rod 202 is expanded or contracted to correspond to the distance between the rod receiving portion 268 and the planar portion 226 of the connector 224 and the second end 206 of the rod 202 may be positioned such that the second end abuts or nearly abuts the planar portion 226 and the receiving portion 210 of the rod 202 is aligned with the aperture 232. The projection portion 222 of the fastener 212 may be inserted through the aperture 232 in the connector 224 from the side of the planar portion 226 opposite the rod 202 and the projection portion 222 may be secured in the receiving portion 210 of the rod 202.
Once the projection portion 222 of the fastener 212 is secured through the connector 224 in the receiving portion of the rod 202, the rod 202 may be gravitationally secured between the mount 260 and the frame system 12. As the outer surface 216 of the cap portion 214 of the fastener 212 is larger than the aperture 232 of the connector 224, the fastener 212 will not come through the connector 224 and the rod 202 may remain secured. Further, as the pad 242 of the connector 224 may be disposed between the arcuate portion 234 of the connector 2242 and the support rod 40, the pad 242 may prevent the connector 224 from sliding along the length of the support rod 40 and may protect the connector 224 and support rod 40 when the weight of hanging clothes or similar items is applied to the rod 202.
In the illustrated embodiment, the rod attachment system 200 is attached to the support rod 40 of the second side frame 16 of an upper pair of side frames 14b, 16b. However, the rod attachment system 202 may be attached to the frame system 12 at any of the support rods 40 of the frame system 12. For example, the connector 224 may be disposed on the support rod 40 of the lower or upper first side frame 14a, 14b or the support rod 40 of the lower or upper second side frame 16a, 16b.
Further, while the storage system 10 has been described as having one rod attachment system 202 and one mount 260, the storage system 10 may have any other number of rod attachment systems 200 and mounts 260. For example, the storage system 10 may have two, three, four, or more rod attachment systems 200 which may be attached to any one or more of the support rod 40 of the lower first side frame 14a, the support rod 40 of the upper first side frame 14b, the support rod 40 of the lower second side frame 16a, and the support rod 40 of the upper second side frame 16b and secured to a corresponding mount 260.
In a further embodiment, the storage system 10 may include a wall bracket 90. As shown in
Once the frame system 12 has been constructed and placed in the desired position with the rear of the frame system 12 disposed near a wall or similar surface, the arcuate connector 96 may be disposed on or around one of the connector bars 18 disposed at the rear of the frame system 12. The arcuate connector 96 may be placed around any one of the rear connector bars 18 of the frame system 12. In a preferred embodiment, the arcuate connector 96 is placed around one of the rear connector bars 18 disposed at between the middle and top of the frame system 12. When the arcuate connector 96 is disposed around the connector bar 18 the mount portion 92 may disposed flush against the wall or other similar surface. The wall bracket 90 may be disposed around the connector bar 18 such that the connecting portion 94 is disposed below the connector bar 18 and the mount portion 92 extends upwardly against the wall (
The rod insert 300 includes an arcuate insert portion 302 having a first arcuate surface 303 and a second arcuate surface 304 opposite the first arcuate surface 302, and a radial projection 306 extending radially inward from the second arcuate surface 304. The radial projection 306 is sized and shaped to fit within the first rod aperture 203. The second arcuate surface 304 is sized and shaped to fit snugly around the first outer circumferential surface 208a, and the first arcuate surface 303 is sized and shaped to fit within an inner diameter of the second rod portion 202b.
The rod sleeve 350 includes a generally cylindrical cap portion 352 having a first sleeve outer circumferential surface 353, a generally cylindrical insert portion 354 having a second sleeve outer circumferential surface 356, and a sleeve projection 360 extending radially outward from the insert portion 354. The sleeve projection 360 is sized and shaved to fit within the second rod aperture 205. The cap portion 352 and the insert portion 354 have an inner circumferential sleeve surface 355 which is substantially the same size as the first outer circumferential surface 208a of the first rod portion 202a. The first sleeve outer circumferential surface 353 may be substantially the same size as the second outer circumferential surface 208b and the second sleeve outer circumferential surface 356 may be substantially the same size as an inside surface of the second rod portion 202b at the first end 204b. In the illustrated embodiment, the insert portion 354 also includes two cutouts 358 which may allow the insert portion 354 to flex or bend and thereby fit into the second rod portion 202b more easily.
In use, the radial projection 306 of the rod insert 300 may be inserted into the first rod aperture 203 of the first rod portion 202a such that the second arcuate surface 304 is disposed on the first outer circumferential surface 208a. The insert portion 354 of the rod sleeve 350 may be inserted into the first end 204b of the second rod portion 202b until the sleeve projection 360 projects radially outwardly from the second rod aperture 205, thereby securing the rod sleeve 350 in the second rod portion 202b. In such a position, the cap portion 352 of the rod sleeve 350 may abut the first end 204b of the second rod portion 202b. The first rod portion 202a may be inserted into the second rod portion 202b such that the first rod portion 202a fits within the inner circumferential sleeve surface 355 of the rod sleeve 350 and the arcuate insert portion 302 of the rod insert 300 is disposed between the first outer circumferential surface 208a of the first rod portion 202a and the inner surface of the second rod portion 202b. In such an embodiment, the rod insert 300 and the rod sleeve 350 are secured in the rod 202. When the first and second rod portions 202a, 202b are extended to a maximum allowable distance, the rod insert 300 abuts the rod sleeve 350 and prevents the first and second rod portions 202a, 202b from being further separated. As such, when the rod insert 300 and the rod sleeve 350 are secured in the rod 202, the first and second rod portions 202a, 202b may be prevented from telescoping to a distance where they separate.
In the illustrated embodiment, the radial projection 306 and first rod aperture 203 are substantially rectangular and the sleeve projection 360 and second rod aperture 205 are substantially cylindrical. However, the radial projection 306 and sleeve projection 360 may be other shapes and geometries. For example, the radial projection 306 and first rod aperture 203 may be cylindrical and the sleeve projection 360 and second rod aperture 205 may be rectangular, or any of pairs may be triangular, oval, pentagonal, or any other suitable shape or geometry.
Turning to
In use, before a user secures the mount 260 to the wall or similar surface, the user may insert the first end 204 of the rod 202 through the wall aperture 272 of the mount 272 such that the first end 204 of the rod 202 is distally beyond the distal surface 266 of the mount 260. The user may then secure the backing projection 278 of the mount backing 274 into the receiving portion in the first end 204 of the rod 202. The first end 204 may then be pull proximally back toward the mount 260 and the mount connecting portion 276 may be secured to the mount plate 262 of the mount 262, thereby securing the rod 202, mount 260, and backing projection 278 together. In the illustrated embodiment, the backing projection 278 is threaded and would be received in a receiving portion of the rod 202 which is a threaded bore, and the connecting portion 276 is twist-locked into the mount plate 262. However, the rod 202 and the connecting portion 276 and the connecting portion 276 and the mount plate 262 may be secured by any suitable means. Once the rod 202, the mount 260, and the backing projection 278 are secured together, the user may then secure the mount 260 to the wall.
In exemplary embodiments, a kit is provided with some or all of the components for any of the various exemplary embodiments described above or below and/or shown in the figures. In some exemplary embodiments, the kit includes an instruction sheet showing assembly of the embodiment and the instruction sheet optionally includes instructions showing that the garment hanging rods 202 can be connected to and supported by any of the support rods 40. For example, in exemplary embodiments, the kit instructions show one or more garment hanging rods 202 supported by an upper support rod 40 and extending to the right and/or the left (
As described herein, when one or more components are described as being connected, joined, affixed, coupled, attached, or otherwise interconnected, such interconnection may be direct as between the components or may be indirect such as through the use of one or more intermediary components. Also, as described herein, reference to a “member,” “component,” or “portion” shall not be limited to a single structural member, component, or element but can include an assembly of components, members or elements.
While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the invention to such details. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the inventive concept, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, the representative apparatus, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept.
1. A storage container for use with a storage system, the storage container comprising:
a flexible bottom having a first edge, a second edge, a third edge, and a forth edge;
a first end extending from the first edge of the bottom to a first height substantially the same as a height of a shelf opening of the storage system;
a second end extending from the third edge of the bottom to a second height less than the height of the shelf opening;
a first side wall extending from the second edge of the bottom to a point substantially equivalent to the first height near the first end and the second height near the second end;
a second side wall extending from the fourth edge of the bottom to a point substantially equivalent to the first height near the first end and the second height near the second end; and
a rigid insert receivable between the first and second ends and first and second side walls;
wherein the first and second side walls are inwardly collapsible when the rigid insert is removed from the storage container; and
wherein the storage container may be inserted into the shelf opening with either the first or second end facing outward from the storage system.
2. The storage container of the above embodiment, further comprising one or more handles disposed on an exterior face either the first end wall or second end wall.
3. The storage container of any of the above embodiments, further comprising at least one liner disposed in an interior space of the storage container along one or more of the first end wall, the second end wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall.
4. The storage container of any of the above embodiments, wherein each liner further comprises an elastic band at an upper portion of the liner which biases the liner toward one of the first end wall, the second end wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall.
5. The storage container of any of the above embodiments, wherein the first side wall and the second side wall each have a top edge which curves between the first height near the first end wall and the second height near the second end wall.
6. The storage container of any of the above embodiments, wherein the first end wall and the second end wall are rectangular.
7. The storage container of any of the above embodiments, wherein the storage container comprises a fabric.
8. The storage container of any of the above embodiments, wherein an interior space of the container is viewable when the second end wall defines a front of the shelf opening.
9. A rod attachment system for use with a storage system, the rod attachment system comprising:
a rod having a first end and a second end, the second end having a receiving portion
a fastener having a cap portion with a first diameter and a projection portion with a second diameter, the first diameter being larger than the second diameter; and
a connector having a planar portion and an arcuate portion, the planar portion having a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and an aperture extending from the first side to the second side and having a third diameter;
wherein the third diameter is larger than the second diameter and smaller than the first diameter; and
wherein the rod attachment system is securable to the storage system by disposing the arcuate portion over a support rod of the storage system, inserting the projection portion of the connector through the aperture from the first side to the second side, and securing the projection portion of the connector in the receiving portion of the rod.
10. The rod attachment system of the above embodiments, further comprising a pad disposed on the inside surface of the arcuate portion.
11. The rod attachment system of any of embodiments 9 through 10, wherein the projection portion of the fastener is threadingly securable in the receiving portion of the rod.
12. The rod attachment system of any of embodiments 9 through 11, wherein one end of the arcuate portion terminates in a flange extending radially outward.
13. The rod attachment system of any of embodiments 9 through 12, wherein the rod is telescoping.
14. The rod attachment system of any of embodiments 9 through 13, further comprising a mount having a rod receiving portion and being securable on a wall or similar surface.
15. The rod attachment system of any of embodiments 9 through 14, wherein the arcuate portion has an inside surface having a diameter substantially the same size as a diameter of an outer circumferential rod surface of a support rod of the storage system.
16. The rod attachment system of any of embodiments 9 through 15, wherein the cap portion of the fastener is larger than the aperture of the connector.
17. A storage system, the storage system comprising:
a frame system comprising:
a rod attachment system comprising;
a mount having a rod receiving portion and being securable to a wall.
18. The storage system of the above embodiment, wherein the rod attachment system may be attached to the support rod of the first frame side or the support rod of the second frame side.
19. The storage system of any of embodiments 17 or 18, further comprising at least one of a storage container and a shelf disposed one of the at least one shelving tracks of the first side and one of the at least one shelving tracks of the second side.
20. The storage system of any of embodiments 17 through 19, wherein the projection portion of the fastener is inserted through the aperture of the planar portion and securable in the receiving portion of the rod.
21. The storage system of any of embodiments 17 through 19 further comprising a storage container according to any of the foregoing embodiments.
22. The storage system of any of embodiments 17 through 19 further comprising a rod attachment system according to any of the foregoing embodiments.
23. The storage system of any of embodiments 17 through 19 further comprising a rod attachment system according to any of the foregoing embodiments and a storage container according to any of the foregoing embodiments.
24. A kit, comprising: frame components and an instruction sheet teaching one or more upper garment hanging rods supported by a respective upper support rod of the frame and extending to the right and/or the left and also one or more lower garment hanging rods supported by a middle support rod of a frame and extending to the right and/or the left.
25. A kit, comprising: a storage container or rod attachment system or storage system according to any of the foregoing embodiments comprising an instruction sheet teaching one or more upper garment hanging rods supported by a respective upper support rod of a frame and extending to the right and/or the left and also one or more lower garment hanging rods supported by a middle support rod of a frame and extending to the right and/or the left.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/549,718, filed Aug. 24, 2017 and entitled “Modular Closet Systems and Methods,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
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| Third-party dresser purchased after Aug. 24, 2017 and before Aug. 24, 2018. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62549718 | Aug 2017 | US |
