The present subject matter relates generally to storage systems. More specifically, the present subject matter provides an independent and repositionable, high-density storage system adapted for use in a classroom setting.
Conventional storage units (e.g., casework, millwork solutions) provide storage for a variety of spaces, such as classrooms. However, such systems typically occupy valuable floor space of a classroom, thereby limiting space for students to gather and work. In addition, such conventional storage systems such as bookshelves and drawer units can create clutter and safety hazards for students.
Moreover, conventional systems often require elaborate installations that are both time consuming and expensive. For example, many conventional classrooms include uneven floors and ceilings, which interfere with the installation of sliding whiteboard classroom doors.
Further, conventional storage units are often singularly focused on specific storage units such as books, bins, etc. As a result, a variety of storage systems must be purchased in order to store the variety of items in a classroom. Such systems are not cost effective and often are not compatible with one another.
Accordingly, there is a need for an independent and repositionable, high-density storage system adapted for use in a classroom setting, as described herein.
The present disclosure provides a storage system. Various examples of the systems are provided herein.
The present system provides a moveable, compact (i.e., high-density) storage unit system that can elevate storage units (e.g., bookshelves, cubbies, carts, bins, etc.) that would otherwise occupy valuable floor space in a room. The present system provides for efficient and accessible storage of classroom materials to minimize retrieval and setup time, which increases contact time between the teacher and student. In addition, because the system is easily moveable, it can be used as a room divider, for example, to provide a fast, safe, calming zone to provide inclusion of students with disabilities without having to remove the student from the classroom.
In one embodiment, the storage system of the present application includes a framing assembly, a plurality of storage units, and a sliding wall assembly. The framing assembly includes a plurality of side panels and a plurality of rear panels, each side panel including a front vertical edge and a rear vertical edge. A rear panel associated with each pair of side panels spans the rear vertical edges thereof. Each storage unit includes a top surface and a base surface, each of the top surface and the base surface secured to and spanning a pair of side panels and the associated rear panel. The sliding wall assembly includes a sliding wall including an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the sliding wall moves laterally parallel to the plurality of side panels. An upper track system includes an upper panel track member and an upper wall track member, wherein the upper panel track member is secured to a side panel the upper wall track member is secured to the upper surface of the sliding wall. A lower track system includes a lower panel track member and a lower wall track member, wherein the lower panel track member is secured to the side panel and the lower wall track member is secured to the lower surface of the sliding wall. Each of the upper and lower wall track members engage the upper and lower panel track members, respectively.
In some embodiments, the storage system further includes a sliding door assembly including a door track member and one or more doors. The door track member is secured to one or more base surfaces of the plurality of storage units along a front edge. The door track member includes a front track and a rear track, each door including a door roller assembly on an upper door edge thereof, wherein the roller assembly includes a roller that engages the front track or the rear track of the door track member.
An advantage of the present system is that it consolidates multiple classroom storage devices into one single system. Moreover, the present system can be used to at least double the cubic storage of standard classrooms.
A further advantage of the present system is that it provides customized organization for various grade levels while improving classroom efficiency for teacher to student interaction.
Another advantage of the present system is providing high-density storage without the need for the system to attach to existing building structural components.
Another advantage of the present system is overcoming conventional installation issues associated with uneven flooring.
Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the examples will be set forth in part in the description, which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following description and the accompanying drawings or may be learned by production or operation of the examples. The objects and advantages of the concepts may be realized and attained by means of the methodologies, instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.
The exemplifications set out herein illustrate certain embodiments, in one or more forms, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the appended claims in any manner.
Example storage systems according to the present disclosure are shown in
Each storage system 100, 200 utilizes different components to provide the functionality of each subsystem as described in greater detail below. Further, although shown in a generally rectangular form, the storage system can be constructed in any suitable shape and size as desired.
Framing Assembly
In the first embodiment illustrated in
Each side panel 122 includes a front vertical edge 122a and a rear vertical edge 122b. A rear panel 124 is associated with each pair of side panels 122 spans the rear vertical edges 122b thereof. The rear panel 124 and pair of side panels 122 form a “C” shape. The space defined by each pair of side panels 122 and the associated rear panel 124 is a storage compartment 126.
The rear panels 124 are aligned along a rear side 100a of the storage system 100. The sliding door assembly 180 is provided along a front side 100b of the storage system 100. Each side panel 122 span the rear side 100a and the front side 100b of the storage system 100.
In the second embodiment shown in
Referring to
Shown in
In the example shown in
In some embodiments, the framing assembly 220 may include a plurality of main support members or beams, each main support member spanning each pair of single and double scaffolds 222, 224. The connections between the main support members and the respective top plates can be by fasteners, welds, and/or the like. In various examples, the main support members can be connected to the storage units.
In both embodiments of the storage system 100, 200, connectors, brackets, and other components may be used as needed and as is known in the art to interconnect the components of the framing assemblies 120, 220.
Storage Units
The storage systems 100, 200 include storage units 140, 240 along the top of the frame assembly 120, 220 to provide storage of items. In the illustrated embodiments, each storage unit 140, 240 includes a closable pair of hinged doors 104, 204 providing access to a cavity 106, 206 of the storage unit 140, 240, although one or more storage units 140, 240 may include sliding doors, a single hinged door, no doors, or other closure mechanisms as desired.
In the first embodiment of
In the embodiment illustrated in
The base surface 144 of the storage unit 140 is similarly supported by a plurality of base surface shelf supports 148 that are attached to inner surfaces of the parallel side panels 122 and rear panel 124. The base surface shelf supports 148 are parallel to and spaced from the top surface shelf supports 146 to define the cavity 106 therein.
In some embodiments, additional support members span one or more of the side and rear panels to provide additional support for the bottom surface and/or the top surface of the storage container. Additionally, the top surface shelf supports 146 and the base surface shelf supports 148 may include additional bracket portions, elongated portions, shouldered edges, and the like to provide additional surfaces onto which other elements may be mounted. For example, the hinged doors 104, 204 include hinging components secured to the top surface shelf supports 146 and/or the top surface 142 as shown in
In the second embodiment illustrated in
As shown in
In some examples, the storage units may include an aluminum, round swivel on the base of the storage unit to enable accessibility of all items in the storage unit.
Sliding Wall Assembly
The storage system 100, 200 includes one or more sliding wall assemblies 160, 260 enabling a slidable wall 162, 262 to move laterally between a retracted position and an extended position as shown, for example, in
In the first embodiment illustrated in
Specifically, the upper track system 164 includes an upper panel track member 164a that is secured to an inner surface of the side panel 122 along which the slidable wall 162 moves. An upper wall track member 164b is mounted to an upper surface of the first vertical panel 162a of the slidable wall 162 and engages with the upper panel track member 164a.
Similarly, the lower track system 166 includes a lower panel track member 166a that is secured to the inner surface of the same side panel 122. A lower wall track member 166b is mounted to a lower surface of the first vertical panel 162a of the slidable wall 162 and engages with the lower panel track member 166.
In some embodiments, each panel track member 164a, 166a provides a groove along a length thereof, and the respective wall track member 164b, 166b includes a wheel that moves laterally along the groove of the respective panel track member 164a, 166a.
Each of the first and second vertical panels 162a, 162b include roller assemblies 168 on bottom surfaces thereof to enable the panels 162a, 162b to move laterally along the ground. In the embodiment illustrated in
In some embodiments, the roller assemblies 168 include a roller wheel mounted to a rotating planar member in order to enable rolling in multiple directions. Specifically, the rotating planar member is secured to the respective vertical panel at a first pivot point, and the roller wheel is mounted to the rotating planar member at a second pivot point offset from the first pivot point, which enables the roller wheel to rotate around the second pivot point as needed. In other embodiments, the roller assemblies 168 include conventional roller wheel hardware.
The rolling hardware of the roller assemblies 168 may include a spring-loaded rubber stop that moves between a locked position and an unlocked position. In some embodiments, the rolling hardware allows for vertical level adjustment. For example, if an existing floor is out of level in the direction of the depth of the unit, the telescoping beam (i.e., the track 130 and the secondary support member 132) and rolling hardware 150 can accommodate approximately a ½″ to ¾″ levelness variance.
In the retracted position illustrated in
In the extended position illustrated in
In the second embodiment illustrated in
Similar to the slidable wall 162 of the first embodiment, the sliding wall 262 includes a first vertical panel 262a and a second vertical panel 262b that are hingedly connected by one or more hinges 262c and include roller assemblies 268 on the bottom surfaces thereof to enable the sliding movement between a retracted position and an extended position.
Referring to
The connections between the track 266 and the underside surface of the primary support beam 264 can be by welds, fasteners, and/or the like. The track 266 can be channel-shaped and suitable to receive the roller assembly 270. For example, the track 266 can be C-shaped and comprise at least one underside shouldered edge 266a configured to retain and support the roller assembly 270 of the secondary support beam 268. In one embodiment, the track is C-shaped and includes a pair of underside shouldered edges 266a, 266b, each configured to retain a wheel of a roller assembly 270 including parallel wheels 270a. In the illustrated embodiment, the track 266 is C-shaped and includes a pair of underside shouldered edges 266a, 266b, each configured to retain a pair of wheels 270a, 270b of a roller assembly 270 including parallel pairs of wheels, as shown in
The position of the track 266 is fixed with respect to the storage system 100 and the secondary support member 268 moves relative thereto. The secondary support member 268 moves between a retracted position, where the secondary support member 268 is positioned within the respective storage compartment 226 and between the parallel trusses of the double scaffold 224, and an extended position, where the secondary support member 268 is extended beyond the front side 200b of the storage system 200 and away from the respective double scaffold 224. For example, together the track 266 and the secondary support member 268 can form a telescoping beam.
The wall 262 is fixedly attached to the secondary member 268. For example, the sliding wall 262 can be secured to an underside of the secondary support member 268 through a fixed lock nut and threaded shank 272 attached to a top surface of the sliding wall 262, as shown in
The sliding door 262 may not require an anchored floor track, which can enable the storage system 200 to be installed in existing buildings with asbestos flooring, without abatement. A base door guide can be anchored to the framing system 220 if desired without disturbing the existing floor.
In the retracted position, the vertical panels 262a, 262b are folded together about the one or more hinges 262c, and the sliding wall 262 is withdrawn into the storage system 200 so that upper surfaces of the vertical panels 262a, 262b are positioned below the storage unit 240. The vertical panels 262a, 262b are retracted between parallel trusses of the double scaffold 224. In this embodiment, no part of the sliding wall 262 extends outwardly of the storage system 202. During use, sliding doors 282 may be slid in front of the retracted walls 262 in a direction perpendicular to the lateral motion of the slidable wall 262 without obstruction as desired.
In the extended position, the second vertical panel 262b has been rotated about the hinged connection 262c so that the first vertical panel 262a and the second vertical panel 262b are folded away from one another in order to be aligned and coplanar. The vertical panels 262a, 262b are then pulled out of the respective storage compartment 226 so that the secondary support member 268 moves laterally along the primary support member 264, which remains fixed in place, such that the first and second vertical panels 262a, 262b extend outwardly from the storage system 200.
In some examples, the sliding door assembly 260 includes magnets positioned at the top and/or bottom of a side surface of the sliding wall to secure the sliding wall 262 in a compact storage position.
In both storage systems 100, 200, the sliding wall 162, 262 can include various components such as, for example, one or more of a white board, a slatted surface, and one or more shelving units. A slatted surface may provide flexible storage, allowing for individual customization of the unit by using hanging shelving units, hooks, pockets, or other components on the slotted structures as desired. As an example, the user could have shelving, cabinetry, and specialized slat wall accessories to allow for the proper mix of storage devices for the user's specific needs.
The storage system 100, 200 can be used for high density classroom library book storage, which allows for out-facing display storage of elementary age literacy materials using slat wall units (e.g., clear acrylic slat wall units). The sliding walls can also be arranged to create an alcove for individual space, a calming zone for students with disabilities, or an activity zone for a specific activity for a portion of the students
Sliding Door Assembly
The storage system 100, 200 also includes a sliding door assembly 180, 280 providing a sliding door 182, 282 for closure of each storage compartment. The sliding door assembly 180, 280 includes a sliding door track member 184, 284 that extends along the front side 100b, 200b of the storage system 100, 200 and one or more doors 182, 282 mounted to the door track member.
In the first embodiment shown in
Each door 182 includes a roller assembly 186 on an upper surface thereof for engaging with and sliding along the door track member 184. Each roller assembly includes a roller 186a that engages the front track 184a or the rear track 184b of the door track member 184. In one embodiment, the one or more doors 182 include first, second, and third doors 182a, 182b, 182c. The first and second doors 182a, 182b are mounted to the front track 184a of the door track member 184, and the third door 182c is mounted to the rear track 184b of the door track member 184. In another embodiment, the sliding door assembly 180 includes first through five doors 182a-182e, with the first, second, and third doors 182a-182c mounted to the front track 184a and the fourth and fifth doors 182d, 182e mounted to the rear track 184b.
In the second embodiment, the sliding door assembly 280 includes a sliding track 284 for each sliding door 282. The sliding tracks 284 are provided on an underside of the base surface 240a of at least one storage unit 240, as illustrated in
Because the system 100, 200 provides an elevated storage system, the system 100, 200 optimizes vertical space and does not monopolize floor space. As a result, the system 100, 200 provides increased storage without reducing the floor space for students. Therefore, students can move about the room for lessons and activities without being encumbered with the storage units. The storage systems 100, 200 of the present application can optimize usable floor area by eliminating the need for other storage units such as book shelves and bins.
In addition, the present system 100, 200 is customizable. For example, the system is modular wherein storage units 140, 240 can be grouped together in an arrangement that is suitable for each classroom, and, moreover, for each activity. For example, the system 100, 200 can be easily transformed into various arrangements throughout the day to accommodate various activities. Further, the storage units 140, 240 can be customized to store a variety of items, unlike conventional drawers or cabinets.
The system 100, 200 can provide more flexibility to incorporate additional mobile, furniture-based storage components within the unit. Additional conventional storage units, such as drawer systems, open shelving, stacked bins or baskets, etc., can be stored within each storage compartment 126, 226 behind the sliding doors 182, 282 to clear floor area for student classroom activity. The items can be retrieved for classroom use when needed.
The present system 100, 200 can be installed without the need to attach to existing building structural components, although certain components such as, but not limited to, the rear panels 124 of the storage system 100 or the rear surface 240c of the storage units 240 of the storage system 200 can be secured to a wall for additional safety. Moreover, the present system 100, 200 does not require the installation of floor or ceiling tracks for moving the sliding units as many convention solutions require. As a result, the present system 100, 200 can be used on uneven flooring. Further, the installation of the present system 100, 200does not require removal or disturbing any asbestos flooring, thereby reducing costs.
In an example, the present system 100, 200can include a compact storage of classroom literacy materials for easy access and display for students. The system 100, 200can increase the average cubic feet of storage in a traditional classroom by utilizing vertical storage volume.
The system 100, 200can include lighting. For example, a bottom surface of the storage units and/or the frame infrastructure can include a plurality of lights. In an example, colored LED lights can be used for therapeutic lighting for students with special needs. For example, the system 100, 200can include at least one bracket that enables LED and/or LCD displays, smart boards, among other displays to be mounted to the framing system and stored behind the storage unit walls.
The system 100, 200can include receptacles for charging electronic devices such as laptops, mobile phones, tablets, among others. The storage units 140, 240 can include storage accessories for particular storage needs for a business or classroom materials. The system 100, 200can be suitable for any ceiling height, including, but not limited to ceilings in the range of 7-10 feet.
The storage system 100, 200 is transformable to create spaces for small group work, isolating certain groups of students, and/or provide space for specialized lessons. For example, the system can be arranged to provide privacy for students during testing or independent work. The system 100, 200 can provide a “calming zone” for de-escalation of inclusion students with special needs without removal from the classroom. While shown as creating space between immediately adjacent doors, a wider personal space may be created, for example, by using non-adjacent doors.
Although the systems 100, 200 of the present disclosure are described with reference to a classroom environment, the system 100, 200 can be used for any type of space such as play spaces, basements, business offices, medical offices, dorms, homes, and kitchens, among many others.
Various embodiments are described and illustrated herein to provide an overall understanding of the structure, function, and use of the disclosed articles and methods. The various embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limiting and non-exhaustive. Thus, an invention is not limited by the description of the various non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments disclosed herein. Rather, the invention is defined solely by the claims. The features and characteristics illustrated and/or described in connection with various embodiments may be combined with the features and characteristics of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of this specification. As such, the claims may be amended to recite any features or characteristics expressly or inherently described in, or otherwise expressly or inherently supported by, this specification. Further, the applicant reserves the right to amend the claims to affirmatively disclaim features or characteristics that may be present in the prior art. The various embodiments disclosed and described in this specification can comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the features and characteristics as variously described herein.
Any references herein to “various embodiments”, “some embodiments”, “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “a non-limiting embodiment”, or like phrases mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments”, “in some embodiments”, “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, “in a non-limiting embodiment”, or like phrases in the specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Thus, the particular features, structures, or characteristics illustrated or described in connection with one embodiment may be combined, in whole or in part, with the features, structures, or characteristics of one or more other embodiments without limitation. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present embodiments.
In this specification, unless otherwise indicated, all numerical parameters are to be understood as being prefaced and modified in all instances by the term “about,” in which the numerical parameters possess the inherent variability characteristic of the underlying measurement techniques used to determine the numerical value of the parameter. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter described herein should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.
Any numerical range recited herein includes all sub-ranges subsumed within the recited range. For example, a range of “1 to 10” includes all sub-ranges between (and including) the recited minimum value of 1 and the recited maximum value of 10, that is, having a minimum value equal to or greater than 1 and a maximum value equal to or less than 10. Also, all ranges recited herein are inclusive of the end points of the recited ranges. For example, a range of “1 to 10” includes the end points 1 and 10. Any maximum numerical limitation recited in this specification is intended to include all lower numerical limitations subsumed therein, and any minimum numerical limitation recited in this specification is intended to include all higher numerical limitations subsumed therein. Accordingly, Applicant reserves the right to amend this specification, including the claims, to expressly recite any sub-range subsumed within the ranges expressly recited. All such ranges are inherently described in this specification.
The grammatical articles “a”, “an”, and “the”, as used herein, are intended to include “at least one” or “one or more”, unless otherwise indicated, even if “at least one” or “one or more” is expressly used in certain instances. Thus, the foregoing grammatical articles are used herein to refer to one or more than one (i.e., to “at least one”) of the particular identified elements. Further, the use of a singular noun includes the plural and the use of a plural noun includes the singular, unless the context of the usage requires otherwise.
It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. For example, various embodiments of the systems and methods may be provided based on various combinations of the features and functions from the subject matter provided herein.
This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/215,246, filed Jun. 25, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63215246 | Jun 2021 | US |