Patent Application
20060169653
The present invention relates to a storage system for multiple articles in spaced relation to one another. The storage system is particularly useful for storing stacks of articles such as containers. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a storage system or dispenser apparatus which has movable parts to facilitate a user's access to the stored articles.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,585,119 discloses a system for storing and stacking like articles. In one embodiment of the invention, a base is shaped and sized to fit within a storage cabinet or counter. A rotatable modular stackholder is secured to the base by means that permits the stackholder to move to and from a position within the storage cabinet and remain in vertical alignment with the base. The modular array of stackholders may be rotated at any position within or outside the cabinet or counter. In this embodiment, the modular stackholder comprises multiple units that have mating surfaces adapted to interengage one another. Any number of these units may be stacked, depending upon the space in which the stackholder is positioned. Each of the stackholder units are similarly shaped with a plurality of different sized compartments to receive stacks of articles, such as containers and dishes.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved storage system of the above-described type.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a storage system which is lightweight.
A further object of the present invention is to provide such a storage system which is inexpensive to manufacture.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide such a storage system which requires reduced spaced for transport and which can be easily assembled into its use configuration.
These and other objects of the present invention will be apparent from the drawings and descriptions herein. Although every object of the invention is believed to be attained by at least one embodiment of the invention, there is not necessarily any single embodiment that achieves all of the objects of the invention.
A storage system for multiple stacks of like articles comprises, in accordance with the present invention, a base and a stackholder assembly connected to the base for movement to and from a position in vertical alignment with the base. The stackholder assembly includes a support platform and a plurality of vertical guide members each secured at a lower end directly to the platform and extending vertically therefrom to define a plurality of stackholder units each capable of receiving a stack of like articles.
In accordance with other features of the present invention, the vertical guide members each include a plurality of prongs each extending substantially perpendicularly to the platform, the prongs being provided at lower ends with locking formations engageable with cooperating locking formations on the platform to fix the vertical guide members to the platform. The locking formations may include detents on the lower ends of the prongs and shoulders disposed in receptacles on the platform.
Pursuant to further features of the present invention, the prongs of each vertical guide member are arranged in a substantially triangular array and have upper ends connected to one another by a bight portion. Each stackholder unit may include at least two of the vertical guide members, the bight portions of the vertical guide members having concave sides facing one another to define vertical storage compartments.
Prior to arrival at an end user's location, the storage system of the present invention may be shipped and stored in a collapsed configuration wherein the vertical guide members are disassembled from the support. The end user can easily assemble the storage system by plugging the free ends of the pronged guide members into receptacles on the support platform. The guide members are lightweight, inexpensive to manufacture, and easy to install.
Pursuant to an additional feature of the present invention, the stackholder assembly is connected to the base by a pivoting linkage. The linkage defines at least one pivot axis of the stackholder assembly about which motion of the stackholder assembly brings the stackholder assembly out of vertical alignment with the base.
The pivot axis may be a horizontal axis. In that case, motion of the stackholder assembly between one position in vertical alignment with the base and another position horizontally or laterally displaced relative to the base involves a motion having both a vertical component and a horizontal component. Thus, where the stackholder assembly is originally disposed vertically above the base, the platform of the stackholder assembly initially swings upwardly and in a lateral or horizontal direction and then downwardly in the same lateral or horizontal direction to arrive at a new stackholder position that is laterally or horizontally displaced relative to the original position.
Alternatively, the pivot axis may be a vertical axis. Where there is a single lever arm connecting the stackholder assembly and the base, motion of the stackholder assembly between one position in vertical alignment with the base and another position horizontally or laterally displaced relative to the base involves a motion having horizontal components along two orthogonal axes and no vertical component. The stackholder assembly is moved from one position to the other along a circular horizontal path determined by the location of the pivot axis relative to a central axis of the system an by the length of the lever arm.
A vertical pivot axis of the stackholder assembly may be one of two pivot axes. In this case, there are two lever arms swingably connected to one another and to the stackholder assembly at one end and the base at the other end. The stackholder assembly executes a pivoting motion with respect to at least one pivot axis, located at the joint between the two lever arms. That axis at the lever arm joint or articulation may in turn pivot with respect to the other pivot axis, with the possible result that the stackholder assembly executes only a translation with respect to the other pivot axis. The stackholder assembly may be supported on the base entirely via the lever arms. Alternatively, either the base or the stackholder assembly may be provided with a projection that slides against the other, enabling a low friction resting of the stackholder assembly on the base.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the platform comprises a turntable and the stackholder assembly includes a rotary coupling enabling an additional rotation of the turntable about a vertical axis. Objects on the turntable are subject to multiple swinging or rotary motions about a plurality of axes.
As stated hereinabove, the stackholder units may each include at least two vertical guide members separately attachable to the platform and spaced from one another to define a vertical storage compartment. The vertical guide members may be so shaped as to define a storage compartment of a desired cross section. Typical cross-sections are circular to accommodate dishes and plates, cups and saucers, storage containers and lids. However, any of these items might have a different cross section such as square (perhaps with rounded corners). In that case the vertical guide members define storage compartments that are generally square in cross-section.
A storage system for multiple stacks of containers and the like for storage in a cabinet comprises, in accordance with the present invention, a base and a stackholder assembly and means for interengaging the stackholder assembly for movement between a position in vertical alignment with the base within a cabinet and a position at least partially outside the cabinet. The stackholder assembly has a plurality of vertically extending pronged guide members defining a plurality of vertically extending compartments to receive stacks of articles.
As indicated above, where the stackholder assembly includes a platform, receptacles are provided on the platform for receiving prongs of the guide members, the prongs and the receptacles being provided with cooperating locking elements for securing the guide members to the platform.
A dispenser comprises, in accordance with the present invention, a base to be positioned in a storage area and a support having means for receiving and holding a plurality of items in spaced relation to one another, the support and the base being interconnected with one another by a pivot mechanism connected to the base and the support for enabling a swinging movement of the support about at least one pivot axis from a first position in vertical alignment with the base to a second position spaced from the first position.
The pivot axis may be a horizontal axis, involving motion of the support in both a vertical direction and a horizontal direction. Alternatively, the pivot axis may be a vertical axis, involving motion of the support in a horizontal plane along two orthogonal axes only. In another alternative, the motion of the A vertical pivot axis of the stackholder assembly may be one of two pivot axes. In this case, there are two lever arms swingably connected to one another and to the stackholder assembly at one end and the base at the other end. The stackholder assembly executes a pivoting motion with respect to at least one pivot axis, located at the joint between the two lever arms. That axis at the lever arm joint or articulation may in turn pivot with respect to the other pivot axis, with the possible result that the stackholder assembly executes only a translation with respect to the other pivot axis. The stackholder assembly may be supported on the base entirely via the lever arms. Alternatively, either the base or the stackholder assembly may be provided with a projection that slides against the other, enabling a low friction resting of the stackholder assembly on the base.
Where the items each comprise a stack of containers, the support has vertical guide members defining vertical storage compartments for receiving the stacks of containers in spaced relation to one another. Preferably, the vertical guide members each include a plurality of prongs each extending substantially perpendicularly to a horizontal support such as a platform, the prongs being provided at lower ends with locking formations engageable with cooperating locking formations on the platform to fix the vertical guide members to the platform.
A storage system in accordance with the present invention is lightweight and inexpensive to manufacture, requires reduced spaced for transport, and can be easily assembled into its use configuration. Stacks of containers that are stored in the storage system are safeguarded against inadvertent damage, and stored in a manner that improves quick availability while using a minimal space.
The storage system described herein is intended primarily for use in storing containers, dishes and similar items. However, it may be used to store other stackable or non-stackable articles for household, business or food purposes. In one preferred form illustrated in the present invention, the system is designed for use in a restaurant, home kitchen cabinet, or counter. It may, however, be used in other storage facilities as well. The present storage system constitutes in part an improvement or modification of the storage and stacking system described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,585,119, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
As depicted in
The base 10 is cylindrical or disk-shaped. Alternatively, the base 10 may have other shapes such as square or rectangular, depending upon the particular shape and size of the space in which the storage system to be located. When used in a kitchen or restaurant to store containers such as dishes, the unit may be cylindrical in shape with an overall diameter in the order of 10 inches to 2 feet. The overall height is determined by the cabinet or counter or shelf height in which the unit is positioned.
As illustrated in
The top panel 12 is formed with an elongated slot 13 that extends radially from the center of the top panel to a distance short of the skirt 11. This slot 13 may be defined by a depending circumferential flange (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,585,119) that extends from its edge downwardly within the base 10. The base 10 may also be provided with a pair or more of parallel re-enforcing ribs (not shown) that extend transversely from the lower or under surface of top panel 12 across the base. These transverse reinforcing ribs terminate short of the circumferential flange so as not to interfere with the slot 13. The upper surface of the top panel 12 may also be formed with a plurality of guide rails 16 that project upwardly from the surface of the top panel 12 in spaced relation to one another and parallel to slot 13.
The means 30 for inter-engaging the base 10 and stackholder assembly 104 includes a bearing load base 31 that is coaxially mounted on the top panel 12. The bearing load base 31 is formed with an opening 32 coaxial with and having the same diameter as the width of the slot 13 in the top panel 12. The bearing load base 31 is also formed with a plurality of upwardly extending ribs 33 and downwardly extending ribs (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,585,119). The downwardly extending ribs are spaced apart and parallel to one another, with the ribs engaging and guided by the rails 16 formed in the top panel 12. A ball bearing race 35 of conventional design is positioned on the top surface of the bearing load base 31 at its outer periphery. A bearing top cap 36 is coaxially aligned with the bearing load base 31. An opening 37 in the bearing top cap 36 is coaxially aligned with the opening 32 in the bearing load base and the slot 13 in the base 10. The bearing top cap 36 is formed with an upwardly displaced dome 38 having a top surface 39 and depending sidewalls 40. There is also provided an annular flange 41 that extends upwardly from the top surface 39 and is radially spaced from the opening 37. The depending sidewalls 40 of the dome 38 may be arcuately contoured as illustrated at 44.
The stackholder assembly 104 includes a rotatable platform or turntable 106 that has an outer diameter coextensive with the outer diameter of the base 10. Rotatable platform or turntable 106 is also provided with a downwardly extending continuous skirt 108 that is aligned with the skirt 11 of the base 10. The skirt 108 extends downwardly into close proximity to, but is spaced from the upper end of skirt 11.
Platform or turntable 106 may be provided on an upper surface with a cross-shaped opening 110 shaped to receive a geometrically similar center spindle connector 112 which extends downwardly into the base 10 through the openings 37, 32, and 13. The connector 112 has a cap 114 and four orthogonally related flanges 116 that are shaped and sized to slide through the cross shaped opening 110 to rotationally engage the platform or turntable 106. A bottom end 118 of the spindle connector 112 engages a slide plate 72 that extends length-wise of the slot 13. The bottom end 118 of the spindle connector 112 is secured by a cap nut 76 that locks the connector to the slide plate 72 for sliding movement with the slide plate slidingly engaging the flanges.
In an alternative configuration of the rotary coupling between platform or turntable 106 and support or base assembly 102, a spindle connector (not shown) may be integral with platform or turntable 106 and depend from a lower surface thereof. In that case, opening 110 is omitted as superfluous.
The stackholder assembly 104 further includes a plurality of vertical guide members 120 (
The prongs 124 at the ends of bight portions 128 are provided at their lower ends with locking formations 132 in the form of detents (
Prior to arrival at an end user's location, the storage system of
Among receptacles 134 are four radially oriented receptacles 136′ that receive prongs 124 of two adjacent vertical guide members 120. The free or lower ends of prongs 124 may be provided with transversely extending projections or nubs 138 that serve to space the prongs 124 from one another in receptacles 136′.
In the arrangement illustrated in
When stored in a cabinet such as a kitchen or restaurant cabinet, the base 10 of the unit may be fixed to the bottom of the cabinet by adhesive foam pads, VELCRO or small screws and other suitable securing means. If preferred, such small screws extend through a mounting flange into the cabinet shelf. Thus the base 10 is fixed within the cabinet but the upper portions may be slid outwardly and rotated for easy access to any one of the multiple wells or vertical storage compartments with the articles stacked in them. The wide openings or spacing gaps formed by the vertical guide members 120 allow easy access to the stacked articles from the sides of the stacks. The arrangement also allows for sample inventory of the number of stacked articles in each well or vertical storage compartment.
The stackholder assembly 104 of
The stackholder assembly 104 of
The stackholder assembly 104 of
Pivot axes 176 and 178 are horizontal axes. Motion of the stackholder assembly 104 in the embodiment of
Pivoting linkage 168 may include a cross-link 180 for stability purposes, i.e., for inhibiting a tipping of support disk 174 and turntable 106 relative to base 166 during a motion of stackholder assembly 104 with respect to base 166. A rotary coupling or spindle 180 connects platform or turntable 106 to support disk 174.
Although the invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments and applications, one of ordinary skill in the art, in light of this teaching, can generate additional embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of the claimed invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawings and descriptions herein are proffered by way of example to facilitate comprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof.
