SLIDING RACK STORAGE SYSTEM

Abstract

A storage solution includes a plurality of rack assemblies that can slide out of a framework and then pivoted at an angle of up to about 90 degrees, permitting access to contents on the surface of the rack assembly. The surface of the rack assembly can have shelving or other mechanisms for securing items, such as small paint containers, paint tubes, or the like. The rack assemblies can, in the storage position, be positioned side-by-side within the framework. Slide and swivel adapters, positioned at the rear upper and lower corners of the rack assembly, can slide along horizontal slide rails to permit the rack assemblies to move into and out of the framework of the storage solution. Once fully extended, the rack assembly can be pivoted such that a plane of the surface of the rack assemblies faces outward, allowing easy and convenient access to items.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to storage systems. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to a storage system using vertical condensed racks that slide out and pivot to allow for easy access to their contents.

2. Description of Prior Art and Related Information

The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.

Traditional methods for storing paints do not allow users to view the paints individually and in full. Such methods also tend to take up too much horizontal space, do not typically accommodate different sizes of paints and do not let users view the entire paint bottle. The only options available for miniature paint storage are either hung on walls to display all of the paints, or placed on a desk in a manner that displays the paints in a sort of stadium seating configuration with some paints behind others.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for an improved storage system for paints, tools and materials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention aim to solve the aforementioned problems in conventional paint and material storage by providing a storage system using vertical condensed racks that slide out and pivot to allow for easy access to their contents.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a storage system having a slide and swivel adapter that is one part of what allows the rack to slide in and out of its case, as well as pivot once slid out of the case, while being held by the slide rail. This can be, for example, a plastic part that uses a protrusion, such as a threaded bolt, to hold the rack in place on the slide rail.

The slide rail is the other part of the storage solution. The slide rail is an elongated, thin, grooved surface that provides a track for the swivel adapter and the rack to which that adapter is attached. The slide rail can be, for example, made of wood or plastic.

Mix shelves are the shelf system of the storage solution. The mix shelves hold the paints, or other items, to the racks. The shelves include thin pieces cut in a way that allows them attach to the rack with no tools or hardware. In some embodiments, the vertical position of the shelves may be adjustable, where the rack can include multiple attachment locations for each of the mix shelves attached thereto.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a storage system comprising a plurality of upper tracks; a plurality of lower tracks disposed below respective ones of the plurality of upper tracks; each of the plurality of upper tracks and the plurality of lower tracks including an upper track recessed portion and a lower track recessed portion formed along a longitudinal axis thereof; a rack slidable along the longitudinal axis a pair of tracks selected from one of the plurality of upper tracks and one of the plurality of lower tracks; a fixed pin disposed at a bottom of the rack, extending downward into the lower track recessed portion; and a resilient pin disposed at a top of the rack, extending upward into the upper track recessed portion.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a storage system comprising a frame having one or more lower members and one or more upper members, each of the one or more lower members and the one or more upper members extending along a frame axis; a plurality of upper tracks attached to the one or more upper members and positioned at selected locations along the frame axis; a plurality of lower tracks disposed below respective ones of the plurality of upper tracks, the plurality of lower tracks attached to the one or more lower members and positioned at the selected locations along the frame axis; each of the plurality of upper tracks and the plurality of lower tracks including an upper track recessed portion and a lower track recessed portion respectively formed along a longitudinal axis thereof; a rack slidable along the longitudinal axis a pair of tracks selected from one of the plurality of upper tracks and one of the plurality of lower tracks, the rack including a backer board and a plurality of shelves disposed on at least one side of the backer board; a fixed pin disposed at a bottom inside edge on a bottom of the rack, extending downward into the lower track recessed portion; and a resilient pin disposed at a top inside edge on a top of the rack, extending upward into the upper track recessed portion.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a storage system comprising a plurality of upper tracks; a plurality of lower tracks disposed below respective ones of the plurality of upper tracks; each of the plurality of upper tracks and the plurality of lower tracks including an upper track recessed portion and a lower track recessed portion formed along a longitudinal axis thereof; a rack slidable along the longitudinal axis a pair of tracks selected from one of the plurality of upper tracks and one of the plurality of lower tracks, the rack including a backer board and a plurality of shelves disposed on at least one side of the backer board; a fixed pin disposed at a bottom inside edge on a bottom of the rack, extending downward into the lower track recessed portion; and a resilient pin disposed at a top inside edge on a top of the rack, extending upward into the upper track recessed portion; a raised protrusion disposed adjacent a forward end of each of the upper and lower track recessed portions, wherein the fixed protrusion includes a lower V-shaped recess in a lower surface thereof, the lower V-shaped recess opening in a direction facing a front end of the rack; the resilient protrusion includes an upper V-shaped recess in an upper surface thereof, the upper V-shaped recess opening in a direction facing the front end of the rack; and when the rack is pulled fully forward, the raised protrusions are received in each of the upper and lower V-shaped recesses.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a storage solution according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a rack assembly usable in the storage solution of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates the rack assembly of FIG. 2 with one of the shelves removed to show a connection means for the shelf, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates an end detail view of the removed shelf of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 illustrates a view of the rack assembly, inside the storage solution of FIG. 1, mounted on a slide rack;

FIG. 6 illustrates the rack assembly of FIG. 5 moved part way out, with the slide and swivel adapter, attached to the rack assembly, moving along the slide rack;

FIG. 7 illustrates the rack assembly of FIG. 5 all the way out, showing how the rack assembly can be pivoted to permit direct access to the shelves on the rack assembly;

FIG. 8 illustrates a detailed view of the slide and swivel adapter moving the rack assembly to a position angled relative to a direction of sliding in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 illustrates a front detailed view of the rack assembly in the angled position of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 illustrates a detailed view of a top slide and swivel adapter on the rack assembly when the rack assembly is fully slid out;

FIG. 11 illustrates a storage solution assembly including multiple rack assemblies in multiple frame, with exterior boards that permit additional exterior shelving, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates a cabinet-style storage assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 illustrates a rack assembly slid out of the cabinet-style storage assembly of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 illustrates a storage assembly, with one rack assembly slid out, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 illustrates an ability of the rack assemblies to be mounted to a flat surface external to the storage solution, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 illustrates a front perspective view of a cabinet-style storage assembly having a plurality of tracks for carrying a plurality of racks, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 illustrates a detailed view of the tracks of the storage assembly of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the tracks of the storage assembly of FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 illustrates a schematic top view of the tracks of the storage assembly of FIG. 16;

FIG. 20 illustrates a perspective view of a track engaging end of a rack top rail of the rack of the storage assembly of FIG. 16 having a resiliently deformable pin in an extended position;

FIG. 21 illustrates a perspective view of a track engaging end of a rack top rail of the rack of the storage assembly of FIG. 16 having a resiliently deformable pin in a retracted position;

FIG. 22 illustrates a perspective view of a track engaging end of a rack bottom rail of the rack of the storage assembly of FIG. 16 having a fixed pin;

FIG. 23 illustrates a perspective view of a non-track engaging end of a rack top rail;

FIG. 24 illustrates a perspective view of a non-track engaging end of a rack bottom rail;

FIG. 25 illustrates a perspective view of a back side of a rack, showing the attachment of the rail onto the rack backerboard;

FIG. 26 illustrates a front view of a storage assembly having a plurality of racks disposed therein, showing a backerboard engaging support bar formed along a forward edge of each of the racks;

FIG. 27 illustrates an end view of a shelf assembly disposable on the backerboard of the racks of a storage assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 28 illustrates a top view of the shelf base of the shelf assembly of FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 illustrates an elevated front rail usable along a front edge of shelf bases used in the storage assemblies according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 30 illustrates how the elevated front rail of FIG. 29 is movable into an opened position to permit improved viewing of items disposed on the shelf base;

FIG. 31 illustrates a side view of an opening formed in a shelf assembly side members, showing the elevated front rail in an upright position; and

FIG. 32 illustrates a side view of the opening of FIG. 31, with the elevated front rail in a tilted/opened position.

The illustrations in the figures may not necessarily be drawn to scale.

The invention and its various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description wherein illustrated embodiments are described. It is to be expressly understood that the illustrated embodiments are set forth as examples and not by way of limitations on the invention as ultimately defined in the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS AND BEST MODE OF INVENTION

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below.

As is well known to those skilled in the art, many careful considerations and compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimal configuration of a commercial implementation of any system, and in particular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercial implementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of the present invention may be configured according to the needs of the particular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to any described embodiment of the present invention may be suitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improved and/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skills and known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation that addresses the needs of the particular application.

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provide a storage solution that includes a plurality of rack assemblies that may be slid out of a framework of the storage solution and pivoted at an angle of up to about 90 degrees, permitting access to contents on the surface of the rack assembly. The surface of the rack assembly can have shelving or other mechanisms for securing items, such as small paint containers, paint tubes, or the like. The rack assemblies can, in the storage position, be positioned side-by-side within the framework of the storage solution. Slide and swivel adapters, positioned at the rear upper and lower corners of the rack assembly, can slide along slide rails to permit the rack assemblies to move into and out of the framework of the storage solution. Once fully extended, the rack assembly can be pivoted such that a plane of the surface of the rack assemblies faces outward, in the direction along which the rack assembly was moved to slide the rack assembly out of the framework.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, a storage solution 10 can include a framework 12, which can include a lower front frame 26, a lower rear frame 28, an upper front frame 30 and a upper rear frame (not shown). The storage solution 10 can include a plurality of shelving units 14 that include a rack 16 having one or more shelves 18 disposed on one side thereof. A pull handle 20 may be disposed on the rack 16 to permit the shelving unit 14 to be slid outward from the frame assembly along lower and upper slide rails 22, 24. An example of an extended shelving unit 14 is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.

The lower slide rail 22 may span between the lower front and rear frames 26, 28, typically extending horizontally. The upper slide rail 24 may be disposed along the upper front and rear frames, typically extending horizontally and equally spaced apart from the lower slide rail 22 along its entire length. As described in greater detail below, the slide rails 22, 24 may extend beyond the lower front frame 26 and the upper front frame 30 to permit the shelving unit 14 to pivot once fully extended.

The shelving unit 14, as best seen in FIG. 2, includes a plurality of shelves 18 mounted on the rack 16. The rack 16 can include side holes 32 along each of a rear end 16C and a front end 16D of the rack 16. Slots 34 may also be formed centrally in the rack 16, where each of the side holes 32 along the rear end 16C corresponds to one of the slots 34 and one of the side holes 32 along the front end 16D. The shelves 18 can include a tab 40 that can fit into one of the slots 34. The tab 40 can help the support the shelf 18 and help prevent bowing of the shelf 18 when items are placed thereupon. While one tab 40 and slot 34 is shown along the span of the shelf 18, it should be understood that additional tabs and slots may be added for additional shelf support, for example, when the rack 16 has a substantial width. While a specific spacing between adjacent ones of the side holes 32 and the slots 34 is illustrated, in some embodiments, the side holes 32 and slots 34 may be formed uniformly (with even spacing) along the rack 16.

End pieces 42 of the shelves 18 can include a hooked end 44 that can fit into and engage with the side holes 32, thus securing the shelves 18 to the rack 16. Multiple side holes 32 and slots 34 may provide height adjustability of the shelves 18. The shelves may further include a front edging 46, such as a clear plastic panel, to prevent items from sliding off the base of the shelves 18.

The shelves 18 can include at least one tab 18A that extends outward a distance, typically, from about 0.25 to about 0.75 inch. A slot 18B may be formed in the shelf 18, adjacent the tab 18A. The slot 18B can receive a portion of a front edging 46 of the shelf 18. This configuration may be helpful in supporting the front edging 46 along the front edge of the shelf 18. While one tab 18A and slot 18B is shown along the span of the shelf 18, it should be understood that additional tabs and slots may be added for additional support of the front edging 46, for example, when the rack 16 has a substantial width.

As shown in FIG. 2, a bottom side 16A of the rack 16 may include a notched corner 38 at the intersection of the bottom side 16A and the rear end 16C of the rack 16. The notched corner 38 may assist in the movement of the rack 16 to an angled position after slide completely out of the frame of the storage solution.

The rack 16 may further include hanging holes 36, disposed at a top of the rack. The hanging holes 36 may permit the shelving units 14 to be hung on a flat surface, such as a wall, as shown in FIG. 15. In some embodiments, a mechanism may be provided to remove the shelving unit 14 from the storage solution 10 to permit hanging on a wall. Such a configuration may be useful when user may actively need various items that are stored in that particular shelving unit 14. When finished, the shelving unit may be easily returned to the storage solution.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 through 10, the interaction between the slide rails 22, 24 and a slide and swivel adapter 50 is shown in greater detail. As mentioned above, the rear end 16C of the rack 16 can include a slide and swivel adapter 50 disposed at an upper and lower end thereof.

The slide rails 22, 24 can include a raised channel 54 that extends along a length of the slide rails 22, 24. A slot 56 may be formed in the slide rails 22, 24 along a first side 54E of the raised channel 54. The first side 54E of the raised channel 54 may be defined as a side that faces away from the side of the rack 16 that includes the shelving units 14 (when the shelving units 14 are inserted inside the frame of the storage solution). As best seen in FIG. 6, an outer end of the slide rail 22 can include a curved portion 54A where the raised channel 54 curves along a radius to continue a short straight portion 54B of the raised channel 54 at an angle of about 90 degrees from the raised channel 54 before the curved portion 54A. The slot 56 may similarly curve to continue to be disposed along the first side 54E of the raised channel 54.

As the rack 16 is slid outward, as seen in FIG. 6, the bottom edge 16A of the rack 16 may be disposed below a top of the raised channel 54, thus providing contact between the back side of the rack 16, along the bottom edge 16A, and a second side 54D of the raised channel 54. The slide and swivel adapter 50 may slide along the top of the raised channel 54 as the rack 16 is moved outward. In some embodiments, slide elements, such as bearings, rollers, or the like, may be disposed on the bottom of the slide and swivel adapter 50 to help facilitate movement of the rack 16 along the slide rail 22.

A pin 52 can extend from the slide and swivel adapter 50 into the slot 56, providing a path for the slide and swivel adapter 50 to move along when the rack 16 is moved outward along the slide rail 22. As can be seen, the slide and swivel adapter 50 may be fixed to the rack 16. In some embodiments, a pin release (not shown) may be provided to move the pin 52 out of the slot 56, permitting removal of the shelving unit 14 from the frame. The pin release may be, for example, a resiliently movable pin, where the pin may be resiliently depressed to disengage the pin from the slot.

In some embodiments, as best seen in FIG. 8, the slide and swivel adapter 50 can include a depending portion 50A that provides contact with the second side 54D of the raised channel 54.

While FIGS. 5 through 9 show details related to the lower slide rail 22, the upper slide rail 24 may include a similar interaction with a slide and swivel adapter 50, as shown in FIG. 10, where the slide and swivel adapter 50 is disposed adjacent a rear of the upper side 16B of the rack 16.

FIG. 11 shows a large storage system, where racks 16 may be deployed in a manner described above. Further, the storage solution can include exterior panels 70 what may include apertures to permit exterior shelving 72 to be mounted thereto. Similar exterior shelving is shown in the unit in FIG. 14.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show how the frame may be replaced with walls of a cabinet 80 where a door 82 may open to permit the racks 16 to be slid outward.

Referring now to FIGS. 16 through 19, a detailed view of tracks 102 for a storage assembly 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The tracks 102 can mount on a frame 104 and may be slidable along the frame 104 and secured thereto with a screw 106, for example. The frame 104 may provide for variable width spacing of the tracks 102 within the storage assembly 102.

The tracks 102 can include raised sides 108 with a recessed portion 110 formed facing an interior of the storage assembly. Pins, as described in greater detail below, may ride in the recessed portion 110 of the tracks 102 to permit the racks 112 to slide out of the storage assembly 100, as described in the above embodiments. The racks 112 can also, once fully extended, be pivoted along an axis defined by upper and lower pins (described below) to provide improved access to shelves on the racks 112. The tracks 102 can further include raised portions, 114, extending upward from the raised sides 108 at both sides of the recessed portion 110 adjacent to a front end of each of the tracks 102. The raised portions 114 may help prevent a rack 112, once fully extended and pivoted, from sliding back into the storage assembly along the tracks 102.

Referring now to FIGS. 16 and 20 through 25, an upper rail 120 and a lower rail 122 can be disposed at, respectively, the top and bottom of a backerboard 124 of the rack 112. The upper rail 120 can include a resilient pin 126 which is urged, with a resiliently deformable mechanism 128, into an extended position as shown in FIG. 20. The resilient pin 126 can extend upward (when the rack 112 is installed in the storage assembly 100) from the upper rail 120 at an interior end thereof. The resiliently deformable mechanism 128 may be, for example, a spring, a compressible material, or the like, provided that, if the resilient pin 126 is pressed into a compressed position, as shown in FIG. 21, the resiliently deformable mechanism 128 can, once a force is removed, move the resilient pin 126 back to the extended position. Typically, a user may apply a force directly to the resiliently deformable mechanism 128, disposed below the upper rail 120, to cause the resilient pin 126 to retract, as shown in FIG. 21. Once retracted, the user can easily insert and remove the rack 112 into and out of the storage assembly 100. The resilient pin 126 may have a upper service with a V-shaped notch 126A formed therein. The opening of the V-shaped notch 126A may be directed outward toward a front end of the upper rail 120.

The lower rail 122 can include a fixed pin 132 extending downward (when the rack 112 is installed in the storage assembly) from the lower rail 122 at an interior end thereof. The resilient pin 126 and the fixed pin 132 may fit into the recessed portion 110 of the tracks 102 (see FIGS. 18 and 19). When the rack 112 is fully extended, the fixed pin 132 and the resilient pin 126 can provide a pivot axis about which the rack 112 can pivot. The fixed pin 132 may have a upper service with a V-shaped notch 132A formed therein. The opening of the V-shaped notch 132A may be directed outward toward a front end of the lower rail 122.

The tracks 102 may include a raised protrusion 102A at a front end of the recessed portion 110 thereof. The raised protrusion 102A may fit into the V-shaped notches 126A, 132A of the resilient pin 126 and the fixed pin 132, respectively. The raised protrusions 102A at an upper one of the tracks 102 and a corresponding lower one of the tracks 102 can define an axis of rotation for the racks 112 when the raised protrusion 102A fits into the V-shaped notches 126A, 132A. The V-shaped notches 126A, 132A can catch the raised protrusion 102A and prevent the rack 112 from sliding back along the track when the rack 112 is pivoted.

As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the exterior ends of the upper rail 120 and the lower rail 122 can include an opening 136, 138 formed therethrough. Similar openings 130, 134 (see FIGS. 20 and 22) can be disposed on the interior ends of the upper rail 120 and the lower rail 122. The resilient pin 126 and the fixed pin 132 can be disposed in any of the openings 130, 134, 136, 138. For example, if a user desires the rack to slide out and pivot to the right for access to the shelves, the pins may be disposed as shown in the figures. However, if the user desires the same rack to slide out and pivot to the left to access the shelves, the user can simply move the pins from one end of each of the rails 120, 122 to the other end thereof.

As shown in FIG. 25, the upper rail 120 can attach to the backerboard 124 with an attachment mechanism, such as a bolt 142. Typically two bolts can be used to attach each of the rails 120, 122 to the backerboard 124. The rails 120, 122 not only provides support for the pins 126, 132, but also provides stiffening along the top and bottom of the backerboards 124.

Referring to FIG. 26, in some embodiments, a leading edge of the backerboard 124 can include a brace 150 spanning all or at least a major portion thereof. The brace 150 may be a stiff member that can help prevent the backerboard 124 from bending along its height. In some embodiments, the brace 150 may fit into slots (not shown) formed in the upper rail 120 and the lower rail 122. Further, the leading edge of the backerboard 124 may be secured to the back side of the brace 150 by various manners, including an adhesive or via a channel formed along the back side of the brace that receives a thickness of the backerboard 124, for example.

Referring to FIGS. 27 and 28, a shelving assembly can include a base member 160 having side members 162 disposed on each end thereof. The base and side members may interact with the backerboard 124, as described in the embodiments above, to secure the shelving assembly to the backerboard 124. The side members 162 may include one or more slots 164 formed therein. The slots 164 are configured to receive a front shelf panel 168 therein. The front shelf panel 168 may be a transparent or semi-transparent member that permits the user to see items disposed on the shelf. When multiple slots 164 are present (such as two slots in side member 162 or such as three slots in side member 162A), the user can select which of the slots to insert the front shelf panel 168, thus providing for variable depths of the base member 160, which could help prevent sliding/movement of smaller items along the base member 160.

As shown in FIG. 28, when multiple slots 164 are provided in the side members 162, the base member 160 can include the same number of multiple slots 170, where the front shelf panel 168 can engage with the appropriate one (corresponding to the slot 164 in the side members 162) of the multiple slots 170 in the base member 160.

Referring to FIGS. 29 through 32, a tell front panel 190 may be positioned along a front of the base member 160 of the shelving assembly. As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the tall front panel 190 may be used along with the front shelf panel 168. In some embodiments, only the tall front panel 190 may be used. The tall front panel 190 can include tabs 192 extending from the lower part of each side thereof. The tabs 192 may have a rectangular cross section, as best seen in FIGS. 31 and 32, and can fit into an opening 180 formed in the side members 162 of the shelving assembly. The user can lift the tall front panel 190, moving the tabs 192 out of a base vertical slot 182 of the opening 180 and into a wider portion 184 of the opening 180, permitting the tall front panel 190 to rotate, as shown in FIGS. 30 and 32. The tall front panel 190 may provide additional support for taller or top-heavy items on the shelves, while permitting folding to permit easy viewing of the items when desired.

All the features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or lettered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numbering and lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken to indicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims.

Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of examples and that they should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or different ones of the disclosed elements.

The words used in this specification to describe the invention and its various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification the generic structure, material or acts of which they represent a single species.

The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to not only include the combination of elements which are literally set forth. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.

The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what incorporates the essential idea of the invention.

Claims

1. A storage system comprising: a plurality of upper tracks;a plurality of lower tracks disposed below respective ones of the plurality of upper tracks;each of the plurality of upper tracks and the plurality of lower tracks including an upper track recessed portion and a lower track recessed portion formed along a longitudinal axis thereof;a rack slidable along the longitudinal axis a pair of tracks selected from one of the plurality of upper tracks and one of the plurality of lower tracks;a fixed pin disposed at a bottom of the rack, extending downward into the lower track recessed portion; anda resilient pin disposed at a top of the rack, extending upward into the upper track recessed portion.

2. The storage system of claim 1, further comprising a frame supporting the plurality of upper tracks and the plurality of lower tracks.

3. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of upper tracks and the plurality of lower tracks are movable along the frame and selectively fixable to the frame to adjust a spacing between adjacent ones of the plurality of upper tracks and the plurality of lower tracks.

4. The storage system of claim 1, further comprising one or more shelves disposed along the rack.

5. The storage system of claim 4, wherein the rack includes a backer board having a plurality of openings disposed at locations from a bottom end to a top end thereof, the plurality of openings permitting a vertical adjustment for positioning each of the one or more shelves.

6. The storage system of claim 5, wherein: the one or more shelves include side members having two or more openings formed along a horizontal axis of each of the side members; andthe one or more shelves include a front rail extendable through selected ones of the two or more openings, wherein a selection of one of the two or more openings define a depth of the shelf.

7. The storage system of claim 6, wherein the front rail is movable between a vertical orientation and a horizontal orientation while being secured in selected ones of the two or more openings of the side members.

8. The storage system of claim 1, further comprising: an upper rail defining a top edge of the rack, the upper rail having an upper rail opening through which the resilient pin extends; anda lower rail defining a bottom edge of the rack, the lower rail having a lower rail opening through which the fixed pin extends.

9. The storage system of claim 1, wherein: the resilient pin is disposed at a back end of the top of the rack;the fixed in is disposed at a bock end of the bottom of the rack; andwhen the rack is pulled fully forward along the pair of tracks, the rack is pivotably on a pivot axis defined by the resilient pin and the fixed pin.

10. The storage system of claim 9, further comprising raised edges extending from sides of each of the plurality of upper tracks and the plurality of lower tracks, the raised edges positioned at a front end at each side of each of the plurality of upper and lower tracks, the raised edge permitting a rack to slide outward on the pair of tracks, pivot on the pivot axis, and be prevented from sliding backwards along the pair of tracks when the rack is pulled fully forward and pivoted.

11. The storage system of claim 9, further comprising: a raised protrusion disposed adjacent a forward end of each of the upper and lower track recessed portions, wherein:the fixed protrusion includes a lower V-shaped recess in a lower surface thereof, the lower V-shaped recess opening in a direction facing a front end of the rack;the resilient protrusion includes an upper V-shaped recess in an upper surface thereof, the upper V-shaped recess opening in a direction facing the front end of the rack; andwhen the rack is pulled fully forward, the raised protrusions are received in each of the upper and lower V-shaped recesses.

12. A storage system comprising: a frame having one or more lower members and one or more upper members, each of the one or more lower members and the one or more upper members extending along a frame axis;a plurality of upper tracks attached to the one or more upper members and positioned at selected locations along the frame axis;a plurality of lower tracks disposed below respective ones of the plurality of upper tracks, the plurality of lower tracks attached to the one or more lower members and positioned at the selected locations along the frame axis;each of the plurality of upper tracks and the plurality of lower tracks including an upper track recessed portion and a lower track recessed portion respectively formed along a longitudinal axis thereof;a rack slidable along the longitudinal axis a pair of tracks selected from one of the plurality of upper tracks and one of the plurality of lower tracks, the rack including a backer board and a plurality of shelves disposed on at least one side of the backer board;a fixed pin disposed at a bottom inside edge on a bottom of the rack, extending downward into the lower track recessed portion; anda resilient pin disposed at a top inside edge on a top of the rack, extending upward into the upper track recessed portion.

13. The storage system of claim 12, wherein: the one or more shelves include side members having two or more openings formed along a horizontal axis of each of the side members; andthe one or more shelves include a front rail extendable through selected ones of the two or more openings, wherein a selection of one of the two or more openings define a depth of the shelf.

14. The storage system of claim 13, wherein the front rail is movable between a vertical orientation and a horizontal orientation while being secured in selected ones of the two or more openings of the side members.

15. The storage system of claim 12, further comprising: an upper rail defining a top edge of the rack, the upper rail having an upper rail opening through which the resilient pin extends; anda lower rail defining a bottom edge of the rack, the lower rail having a lower rail opening through which the fixed pin extends.

16. The storage system of claim 15, wherein the upper rail and the lower rail are formed in an identical structure, each including a forward upper rail opening and a rearward upper rail opening.

17. The storage system of claim 12, further comprising: a raised protrusion disposed adjacent a forward end of each of the upper and lower track recessed portions, wherein:the fixed protrusion includes a lower V-shaped recess in a lower surface thereof, the lower V-shaped recess opening in a direction facing a front end of the rack;the resilient protrusion includes an upper V-shaped recess in an upper surface thereof, the upper V-shaped recess opening in a direction facing the front end of the rack; andwhen the rack is pulled fully forward, the raised protrusions are received in each of the upper and lower V-shaped recesses.

18. A storage system comprising: a plurality of upper tracks;a plurality of lower tracks disposed below respective ones of the plurality of upper tracks;each of the plurality of upper tracks and the plurality of lower tracks including an upper track recessed portion and a lower track recessed portion formed along a longitudinal axis thereof;a rack slidable along the longitudinal axis a pair of tracks selected from one of the plurality of upper tracks and one of the plurality of lower tracks, the rack including a backer board and a plurality of shelves disposed on at least one side of the backer board;a fixed pin disposed at a bottom inside edge on a bottom of the rack, extending downward into the lower track recessed portion; anda resilient pin disposed at a top inside edge on a top of the rack, extending upward into the upper track recessed portion;a raised protrusion disposed adjacent a forward end of each of the upper and lower track recessed portions, wherein:the fixed protrusion includes a lower V-shaped recess in a lower surface thereof, the lower V-shaped recess opening in a direction facing a front end of the rack;the resilient protrusion includes an upper V-shaped recess in an upper surface thereof, the upper V-shaped recess opening in a direction facing the front end of the rack; andwhen the rack is pulled fully forward, the raised protrusions are received in each of the upper and lower V-shaped recesses.

19. The storage system of claim 18, wherein: the one or more shelves include side members having two or more openings formed along a horizontal axis of each of the side members; andthe one or more shelves include a front rail extendable through selected ones of the two or more openings, wherein a selection of one of the two or more openings define a depth of the shelf.

20. The storage system of claim 18, further comprising: an upper rail defining a top edge of the rack, the upper rail having an upper rail opening through which the resilient pin extends; anda lower rail defining a bottom edge of the rack, the lower rail having a lower rail opening through which the fixed pin extends.