BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to storage and organizational apparatus, and in particular, to a storage assembly that can be conveniently assembled for use and disassembled for transportation or storage.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Knock-down storage systems have been very popular in recent times. Knock-down storage refers to racks having modular components (e.g., shelves, compartments, connectors and support posts) that can be assembled and disassembled relatively quickly and conveniently, so that the user can (i) deploy the resulting storage system at any number of different locations, and/or (ii) re-configure the storage system by adding or omitting shelves, compartments and posts.
There are numerous knock-down storage systems that are available in the market. Unfortunately, most of these systems suffer from one of many drawbacks, but the most common problem relates to the convenience of assembling, and disassembling, the system. In addition, some connectors are difficult to use, or do not provide sufficient stability. The resulting system should simultaneously meet all of the following objectives: (i) it must allow stable and secure connection of the shelf or compartment to the post, (ii) it must be easy and convenient to assemble and disassemble, and (iii) it should have a simple construction to minimize production cost. Unfortunately, none of the currently-available knock-down storage systems meet all of these three objectives.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage system that meets the objectives set forth above.
In order to accomplish the above-described and other objects of the present invention, the present invention provides a storage system comprising a rear frame, a plurality of divider panels. and a plurality of shelving supports (e.g., panels). The divider panels include a first divider panel and a second divider panel, each divider panel having a front vertical bar and a rear vertical bar, each divider panel being removably connected to the rear frame adjacent the rear vertical bar. The edges of the shelving supports are secured to the front vertical bars and the rear vertical bars of the divider panels using prong and hoop type couplings. In one embodiment, a plurality of U-shaped connectors is provided in spaced apart manner along the front vertical bars and the rear vertical bars of each divider panel. Each shelving support has a perimeter (e.g., four-sided configuration) that defines corners (e.g., four corners), with each corner of each shelving support fitted inside a U-shaped connector. In another embodiment, a plurality of loop-shaped connectors is provided in spaced apart manner along the front vertical bars and the rear vertical bars of each divider panel. Each shelving support has a four-sided configuration that defines four corners, with each corner having a prong extending therefrom. Each prong fits into a loop-shaped connector, forming a secure coupling between a corner of the shelving support and the associated vertical bar.
The shape of the footprint of the storage system may take various geometries (e.g., square, rectangle, triangle, etc.), with the shape of the perimeter of the shelving supports taking complementary geometries. The rear frame provides reinforcement to the maintain rigidity of the storage system. The rear frame may be one-piece, or in segments that can be coupled to form the rear frame.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a storage system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of the system of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a U-shaped connector and a corner of a shelving panel for the system of FIG. 1, taken from the area A in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is an exploded view of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is an exploded enlarged view showing the connection of a divider panel to the rear frame.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of another embodiment of prong and hoop coupling between a shelving panel and divider panel.
FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a storage system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the storage system of FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the coupling between sections of the rear frame of the storage system of FIG. 7, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of a storage system according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the storage system of FIG. 10.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the coupling between sections of the rear frame of the storage system of FIG. 11, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of a storage system according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view of the storage system of FIG. 13.
FIG. 15 is an exploded view showing the assembly of the storage system of FIG. 13.
FIG. 16 shows the combination of various modules of storage systems.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
The present invention provides a storage system that has a simple construction, and which can be easily and conveniently assembled for use, and disassembled for storage, re-configuration or transportation. In addition, the connection for each panel or shelf is simple yet provides a stable support for the resulting system.
Referring to FIGS. 1-5, the system 10 of the present invention can be quickly and conveniently assembled by putting together a rear frame 12, a plurality of divider panels 14, 16, 18, and a plurality of shelving supports in the shape of panels 20.
As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the rear frame 12 has a bottom horizontal bar 30, a top horizontal bar 32, and three vertical bars 34, 36, 38. The vertical bar 36 can be a center vertical bar. The bars 30, 32, 34, 36, 38 are connected together (e.g., by welding) or made in one piece. and can be made of a metal. A female connector 40 is provided at the top of each vertical bar 34, 36, 38, and another female connector 42 is provided at the bottom of each vertical bar 34, 36, 38. Each female connector 40, 42 extends transverse to the plane of the bars 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, and has an opening 45 for receiving the end of a shaft 44 of a divider panel 14, 16 or 18.
Each divider panel 14, 16, 18 has the same configuration, and has a four-sided configuration defined by four bars 46, 48, 50, 52. The shelving panels 20 are securely coupled to the divider panels 14, 16 and 18 (i.e., to the vertical bars of the divider panels) using prong and hoop type couplings. When coupled to the divider panels, the frame 12 provides a rigid brace framework to define the overall box structure comprising the divider panels and shelving panels of the storage system 10.
In one embodiment, a plurality of U-shaped connectors is provided in spaced apart manner along the front and rear vertical bars 48 and 52 of the divider panels 14, 16 and 18. Each shelving panel has a four-sided configuration that defines four corners, with each corner of each shelving panel fitted inside a U-shaped connector. A plurality of U-shaped connectors 54 are welded or otherwise attached to the four bars 46, 48, 50, 52. For example, connectors 54 are attached to the four corners of the divider panels 14, 16 or 18, and additional connectors 54 are attached to the vertical bars 48 and 52. The connectors 54 are aligned so that a connector 54 on one vertical bar 48 is at the same level as a corresponding connector 54 on the other vertical bar 52 of the same divider panel. Shafts 44 extend rearwardly from the horizontal bars 46 and 50, with the shafts 44 adapted to be inserted into the opening 45 of the corresponding female connector 40, 42 for a friction-fit. An optional wall material 56 can be attached to or otherwise provided with the bars 46,48, 50, 52 in the same plane as the bars 46, 48, 5052. The wall material 56 can be made of a cardboard material, plastic, fabric, metal or any material that can be used as a divider.
Each U-shaped connector 54 has a U-shaped body with enlarged opposite ends 58. The center of the U-shaped body is attached to the inner side of the corresponding bar 48 or 52 by welding or similar attachment techniques. Each connector 54 can be provided in the same material as the bars 46, 48, 50, 52.
Each shelving panel 20 has the same configuration, and has a four-sided configuration defined by four bars 60, 62, 64, 66. See FIG. 2. A planar board 70 can be attached to or otherwise provided with the bars 60, 62, 64, 66 in the same plane as the bars 60, 62, 64, 66. The board 70 can be made of a cardboard material, plastic, fabric, metal or any material that is strong enough to be used to support items or objects placed on it. Each corner connection for the bars 60, 62, 64, 66 of the shelving panel 20 can be rounded with an opening 72 defined between the corner connection for the adjacent pair of bars (e.g., 60 and 66) and the board 70. See FIGS. 3 and 4.
To assemble the system 10, the divider panels 14, 16, 18 are first attached to the rear frame 12 by inserting the shafts 44 of the divider panels 14, 16, 18 into the openings 45 of each corresponding female connector 40, 42. The shelving panels 20 can then be connected to each set of U-shaped connectors 54. Each set of U-shaped connectors 54 will include four such connectors 54 provided on two adjacent parallel divider panels 14 and 16, or 16 and 18. For example, FIG. 2 shows a shelving panel 20 connected to the four top U-shaped connectors 54 of the divider panels 14 and 16. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the connection is accomplished by inserting an end 58 of a U-shaped connector 54 into each of the four openings 72 of the shelving panel 20. As shown in FIG. 3, when a corner of the shelving panel 20 is resting adjacent the bottom of the U-shaped connector 54, the interaction between the rounded corner of the shelving panel 20 and the U-shaped connector 54 provides a stable connection for the shelving panel 20 to the divider panel 16. The exploded panel 20 in FIG. 2 is coupled to the upper-most connectors 54 along the divider panels 14 and 16 to function as a roof or top panel, with two corners of the exploded panel 20 coupled to one connector 54 each from the bars 48 and 52 of the divider panel 14, and the other two corners of the exploded panel 20 coupled to one connector 54 each from the bars 48 and 52 of the divider panel 16.
The user can choose to utilize or connect as many shelving panels 20 in whatever pattern he or she desires. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, shelving panels 20 may be used to form a base or floor for the storage system 10, to form a top or roof, and to form actual shelves intended to hold objects and items such as shoes, among other things. The system 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2 shows two rows of four shelves formed by three divider panels 14, 16, 18, and five shelving panels 20 between each pair of divider panels. Storage spaces S are defined by the divider panels 14, 16 or 16, 18 on either side, and the shelving panels 20 directly above and below. However, this is merely a non-limiting example since the modularity of the system 10 and its components allows the user to assemble storage systems 10 of different sizes and shapes. For example, one or more of the shelving panels 20 can be omitted (not used) in FIG. 1 to provide a larger storage space S so that one of the shelves can be used to store larger objects. Alternatively, four divider panels can be used to form three rows of shelves (see, FIGS. 7 and 8). In addition, the number of U-shaped connectors 54 on the divider panels 14, 16, 18 can be varied, and positioned at different locations, to provide different numbers of storage spaces S, and to provide storage spaces S of varying sizes.
To disassemble the system 10, the user simply lifts up the corners of each shelving panel 20 to disengage each shelving panel 20. The divider panels 14, 16, 18 can be disengaged from the rear frame 12 by merely pulling the shafts 44 of the divider panels 14, 16, 18 from the female connectors 40, 42 of each vertical bar 34, 36, 38. Then, the rear frame 12, the divider panels 14, 16, 18, and the shelving panels 20 can be stacked on top of each other for transportation or storage.
Thus, the U-shaped connectors 54 allow for quick and convenient assembly and disassembly, yet provides sufficient stability to the resulting system 10.
Instead of providing prongs (e.g., the U-shaped connectors) on the vertical bars of the divider panels, in another embodiment, a plurality of loop-shaped connectors is provided in spaced apart manner along the front vertical bars and the rear vertical bars of each divider panel. Each shelving panel has a four-sided configuration that defines four corners, with each corner having a prong extending therefrom. Each prong fits into a loop-shaped connector, forming a secure coupling between a corner of the shelving panel and the associated vertical bar.
Referring to FIG. 6, the instead of providing the U-shaped connectors 54 along the vertical bars 48 and 52 as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, hoops 172 (e.g., oval loop-shaped as shown) are provided along bars 148 and 152 in FIG. 6 (only rear vertical bar 152 is shown, but the hoop structure is similar for the front vertical bar 148 not shown (but similar to bar 48)). Complementary prongs 154 are provided on the shelving panels 120, instead of the openings 72 defined at each corner of the shelving panels. As shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, each prong 154 take the shape of curved hook, terminating in a slight enlarged end 158 (similar to the enlarged end 58 of the U-shaped connector 54 in the embodiment of FIG. 3). The remaining structures of the divider panels 116 and the shelving panels 120 are similar to those in the embodiment described earlier (e.g., planar board 170 is similar to planar board 70 in the earlier embodiment. To securely attach a shelving panel 120 to the divider panels 116, each prong 154 of the shelving panel 120 is inserted into a corresponding hoop 172 on the vertical bar 148 or 152 of a divider panel 116.
FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a storage system 110 having three vertical rows of shelves in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention (specifically, a 3×3 shelves storage system). The structure of the storage system 110 is generally similar to the structure of the storage system 10 disclosed in the earlier embodiment. Essentially, compared to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, an additional divider panel 19 is provided to provide for the additional vertical row of shelves, making up four identical divider panels 14, 16, 18 and 19. The structure of divider panel 19 is substantially similar to the divider panels 14, 16 and 18. The four divider panels 14, 16, 18 and 19 are interchangeable, in that they are substantially identical in structure at least with respect to the hoop and prong couplings. All the divider panels are interchangeable with one another within the storage system 110, in that it does not matter which of the four divider panels are to be placed on the outside of the storage system and which are to be placed in the interior of the storage system. In other words, the prongs or hoops provided along the vertical bars of each divider panel are symmetrical with respect to both sides of each vertical bar (or both planar sides of each panel). Alternatively, the divider panels 14 and 19 may be structured slightly different from the divider panels 16 and 18, in that the prongs (or hoops) provided on the outer panels 14 and 19 may not need to be symmetrical with respect to both sides of each of those panels. In other words, e.g., the U-shaped connectors (or hoops) provided on the vertical bars of the divider panels 14 and 19 may be half that of those provided on the vertical bars of the divider panels 16 and 18. The symmetry of the divider panel at its edge allows two shelving panels to be positioned on either side of the divider panel, at the same horizontal level. The interchangeability of the divider panels avoids the need to maintain different parts inventory and ease of manufacturing. Similarly, for flexibility and similar part for ease of manufacturing and reduction in parts inventory, the shelving panels 20 are interchangeable and/or substantially identical in structure.
Four additional shelving panels 20 are provided between the additional divider panel 18 and 19. In this particular embodiment, the prong and hoop coupling between a shelving panel 120 and a divider panel (14, 16, 18) is similar to the U-shaped connector 54 shown in FIG. 3. It is well within the scope and spirit of the present invention to instead use the prong 154 and hoops 172 shown in FIG. 6.
The rear frame 112 in the storage system 110 is wider than the earlier embodiment, comprising an additional vertical bar 39 and additional top and bottom horizontal bars 130 and 132. When coupled to the divider panels, the frame 112 provides a rigid brace framework to define the overall box structure comprising the divider panels and shelving panels of the storage system 110. As illustrated in FIG. 8, and similarly to the earlier described embodiment, the frame 112 is coupled to (or a location near) the top and bottom corners on the same outward facing edge of each divider panel. It is appreciated that the frame 112 may be coupled to other than the corners of the divider panels (i.e., at locations long the vertical bars of the divider panels), and still be able to provide the necessary rigid brace framework to define the overall box structure of the storage system 110. It is also contemplated that instead of a rectangular structure as shown, the frame may be in the form of cross braces (not-shown) (e.g., in the shape of an X-frame) extending from one corner divider panel to a diagonally opposite corner of another divider panel (viewing the storage system 110 in a direction parallel to the plane of the divider panels).
In the embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, given the wider format of the storage system, the rear frame 112 can comprise multiple sections that are coupled together. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the rear frame 112 comprises two sections 180 and 182, coupled together by the top and bottom horizontal bars 130 and 132 at the middle of the frame. More specifically, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9, the coupling of the horizontal bars 132 (similar for horizontal bars 130 not shown) is in the form of a male end 184 of the bar of section 180 and a female connector 186 at the end of the horizontal bar of section 182. The female connector 186 can simply be a cylindrical or split cylindrical sleeve, which aligns and couples identical male ends 184 of axially adjacent horizontal bar 132 of the sections 180 and 182.
FIGS. 10 to 12 illustrate a storage system 210 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, which is a variation of the embodiment of FIGS. 7 to 9. The structure of the storage system 210 is generally similar to the structure of the storage system 110 illustrated in the earlier embodiment of FIGS. 7 to 9 (i.e., the storage system 210 has similar divider panels and shelving panels coupled together, and to a rear frame). Compared to the embodiment of FIGS. 7 to 9, the primary difference is in the structure of the rear frame 212. The rear frame 212 in the storage system 210 is another embodiment of a multi-sectional frame, which is assembled from straight bar segments (vertical segments 230 and horizontal segment 232) using corner couplers 234 and 236 that also couple to the divider panels. Referring also to FIG. 12, at the outer part of the frame 212 at the outside divider panels of the storage system 212, a horizontal segment 230 and a vertical segment 232 are coupled to the respective ends of the top and bottom horizontal bars of the outer divider panels 14 and 19 using a 3-way corner coupler 236. At the inner part of the frame 212, two horizontal segments 230 and a vertical segment 232 are coupled to the respective ends of the top and bottom horizontal bars of the inner divider panels 16 and 18 using a 4-way corner coupler 234. The corner couplers 234 and 236 have female connection ends receiving the ends of the bars. With this embodiment, the structure of rear frame 212 has a simple compact knock-down structure, which saves costs in production, inventory, packaging and/or shipping.
When coupled to the divider panels, the frame 212 provides a rigid brace framework to define the overall box structure comprising the divider panels and shelving panels of the storage system 210. As illustrated in FIG. 11, and similarly to the earlier described embodiments, the frame 212 is coupled to (or a location near) the top and bottom corners on the same outward facing edge of each divider panel. It is appreciated that the frame 212 may be coupled to other than the corners of the divider panels (i.e., at locations long the vertical bars of the divider panels), and still be able to provide the necessary rigid brace framework to define the overall box structure of the storage system 210. It is also contemplated that instead of a rectangular structure as shown, the frame may be in the form of cross braces (not-shown) (e.g., in the shape of an X-frame) extending from one corner divider panel to a diagonally opposite corner of another divider panel (viewing the storage system 210 in a direction parallel to the plane of the divider panels).
FIGS. 13 to 15 illustrates a storage system 310 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, which has a footprint of a different geometry compared to the earlier embodiments. Compared to the earlier embodiments, the storage system 310 has a triangular footprint, which is particularly useful for placement of the storage system 310 at a corner location (e.g., wall corner of a room, or at the end of a storage system shown in the earlier embodiments). In the illustrated embodiment, the shelving supports are in the form of shelving panels 320 that have a triangular perimeter. The rear frame 312 in this embodiment is in the form of a single vertical bar 356. The divider panels 380 and 382 are similar in structure to the divider panels in the earlier embodiments in various respects, except that the hoops or prongs for coupling to shelving panels are provided only along the front vertical bars 348 of the divider panels 380 and 382 and not along the rear vertical bars 352.
The rear ends 354 of top and bottom horizontal bars 346 and 350 of the divider panels 380 and 382 are coupled to the vertical bar 356 of the frame 312 using 3-way corner couplers 358. The frame 312 provides reinforcement to the overall storage system 310, by interconnecting the two divider panels 380 and 382, so that the structure of the storage system 310 would be more rigid, compared to a structure in which the divider panels 380 and 382 are directly coupled without the vertical bar 356. Hoops or prongs are provided along the vertical bar 356. In the illustrated embodiment, at each corners of the shelving panels 320, a hoop or prong is provided, similar to the earlier embodiment, which couples to a complementary prong or hoop provided on the front vertical bar 348 of the divider panels 380 and 382 and vertical bar 356, in a manner similar to the previous embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, prongs 54 are provided along the front vertical bars 348 of the divider panels 380 and 382, and the vertical bar 356 of the rear frame 312, and hoops 372 are provided at the corners of each shelving panel.
It is noted that unlike the earlier embodiments, the hoops or prongs do not need to be provided in symmetric pairs at each location along the vertical bars (i.e., unlike the structure shown in FIG. 3, only one prong/hoop needs to be provided on the side of the divider panel facing the shelving panels). However, if the storage system 310 is intended to be integrated as a module at the end or side of those storage systems in the earlier embodiments, then symmetric hoops or prongs can be provided along the vertical bar 348 of the divider panels 380 and/or 382, so that triangular shelving panels 320 can be placed on one side of the divider panel 380 or 382, and a rectangular shelving panel (e.g., the shelving panels 20 shown in the earlier embodiments) on the other side of the divider panel. In other words, the triangular storage system 310 can be mixed and matched with the rectangular storage systems 10, 110 and 210, to build an overall storage system having a section having one or more columns of rectangular shelves, which are bordered by a section of a column of triangular shelves at one or both sides of the rectangular shelve section, as illustrated by the embodiment of FIG. 16.
The shelving supports may be shelving panels as illustrated in the figures, or in other configurations, such as basket, buckets, racks, etc., to provide additional flexibility for a user to configure the storage system for desired usage. The bars found in the storage system in the various embodiments described herein may be solid or hollow bars (e.g., tubes), which may have a circular, square, rectangular or other cross-sectional geometry.
While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.
Patent Application
20100252520
