U.S. patent application number 10/923303 was filed with the patent office on 2006-02-23 for garage door storage cabinet and cabinet assembly.
Invention is credited to William David Morgan.
Application Number | 20060038468 10/923303 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35908983 |
Filed Date | 2006-02-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060038468 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Morgan; William David |
February 23, 2006 |
Garage door storage cabinet and cabinet assembly
Abstract
A garage door storage cabinet attached to or integrated with a
garage door. The storage cabinet includes an enclosure and a cover.
The enclosure is mounted on a major surface of the door in
non-interfering relation to the movement of the door between open
and closed positions. The cover is mounted on the enclosure for
movement between a closed position wherein items in the cabinet are
retained therein during movement of the door and an open position
wherein items may be placed in or removed from the cabinet.
Inventors: |
Morgan; William David;
(Charlotte, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Adams Evans P.A.;2180 Two Wachovia Center
301 S. Tryon Street
Charlotte
NC
28282
US
|
Family ID: |
35908983 |
Appl. No.: |
10/923303 |
Filed: |
August 20, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/245 ;
160/201; 312/321.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E06B 3/48 20130101; E05Y
2900/20 20130101; E05Y 2900/106 20130101; E05D 15/24 20130101; A47B
96/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/245 ;
312/321.5 |
International
Class: |
A47F 5/08 20060101
A47F005/08 |
Claims
1. A storage cabinet for being mounted on a door, comprising: (a)
an enclosure for being mounted on a major surface of the door in
non-interfering relation to the movement of the door between open
and closed positions, the enclosure having an opening therein; and
(b) a cover mounted on the enclosure for movement between a closed
position wherein items are retained in the cabinet during movement
of the door and an open position wherein items may be placed in or
removed from the enclosure.
2. The storage cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the cover
includes a storage compartment for storing items.
3. The storage cabinet according to claim 1, and further comprising
a restraint for providing a positive stop and preventing the cover
from rotating into the open position in relation to the enclosure
further than 90 degrees.
4. The storage cabinet according to claim 3, wherein the restraint
is selected from the group consisting of a rod, a bar, rope and
wire strand.
5. The storage cabinet according to claim 3, wherein the restraint
comprises at least two segments connected by a pivot.
6. The storage cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the enclosure
is integrally-formed in the door.
7. The storage cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the cover has
angled, outwardly diverging top and bottom sides for preventing
interference between two adjacent storage cabinets during opening
and closing of the door.
8. A storage cabinet assembly for a garage door, comprising: (a) a
plurality of cabinets for being mounted on an interior surface of
the garage door in non-interfering relation to the movement of the
garage door between open and closed positions, each of the cabinets
comprising an enclosure having an opening therein; and (b) each of
the cabinets including a cover mounted on the enclosure for
movement between a closed position wherein items are retained in
the cabinet during movement of the garage door and an open position
wherein items may be placed in or removed from the cabinet.
9. A storage cabinet in combination with a garage door, the storage
cabinet comprising: (a) an enclosure integrally-formed in an
interior wall of the garage door in non-interfering relation to the
movement of the garage door between open and closed positions; and
(b) a cover mounted on the enclosure for movement between a closed
position wherein items are retained in the cabinet during movement
of the garage door and an open position wherein items may be placed
in or removed from the cabinet.
10. A storage container for being mounted on a door, comprising:
(a) an enclosure for storing items, the enclosure adapted for being
suspended from a major wall of the door in a non-interfering
relation to the movement of the door between open and closed
positions; (b) a cover attached to the enclosure; and (c) a
mounting bracket for mounting the cabinet on the door.
11. The storage container according to claim 10, wherein the cover
is a screw-type cover for screwing onto a top edge of the enclosure
having mating screw-threads thereon for releasably securing the
cover and enclosure together.
12. The storage container according to claim 11, wherein the
mounting bracket includes a pivot for allowing the enclosure to be
suspended in a vertical orientation without regard to the position
of the door to which it is attached.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a garage door storage cabinet and
more particularly to a storage cabinet that is integrated with or
attached to a garage door.
[0002] In general, the size of the typical house has become smaller
as land has become more expensive. Houses thus have less room for
storage, even as the tendency to acquire more possessions, for
example, recreational and gardening equipment, has increased. A
larger percentage of houses, even smaller ones, now have garages,
and are typically used for storage of possessions as well as for
parking one or more vehicles when not in use. Morever, many
apartments, condominiums and townhouse developments now provide
garages-many attached to and accessible from inside the dwelling,
in order to provide security in transiting between house and
vehicle. Given these trends towards smaller homes and a greater
quantity and variety of possessions needing to be stored, there
exists a need to utilize any available areas that may be adapted
for service as a storage facility. One such area is the interior
surface of the garage door, which is typically 7 feet or more in
height and 8 or more wide, depending on the number of vehicles the
garage will accommodate. This space is typically not used for any
purpose other than as a means of permitting or denying access to
the garage. This space is therefore, at present, wasted.
[0003] Accordingly, a garage door storage cabinet that utilizes the
wasted space present on the interior surface of a garage door
provides increased storage space without impairing the utility of
the garage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a
garage door storage cabinet that can be attached to existing garage
doors.
[0005] It is another object of the invention to provide a garage
door storage cabinet that is integrated with a garage door.
[0006] It is another object of the invention to provide a garage
door storage cabinet that can be used with sectional garage
doors.
[0007] It is another object of the invention to provide a garage
door storage cabinet that can be used with one-piece garage
doors.
[0008] It is another object of the invention to provide a garage
door storage cabinet that can be opened when the garage door is in
a vertical position or in a horizontal position or any position
in-between.
[0009] These and other objects of the present invention are
achieved in the preferred embodiments disclosed below by providing
a storage cabinet for being mounted on a door including an
enclosure for being mounted on a major surface of the door in
non-interfering relation to the movement of the door between open
and closed positions, the enclosure having an opening therein; and
a cover mounted on the enclosure for movement between a closed
position wherein items are retained in the cabinet during movement
of the door and an open position wherein items may be placed in or
removed from the enclosure.
[0010] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention,
the cover includes a storage compartment for storing items.
[0011] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention,
the storage cabinet further includes a restraint for providing a
positive stop and preventing the cover from rotating into the open
position in relation to the enclosure further than any
predetermined limit.
[0012] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention,
the restraint is selected from the group consisting of a rod, a
bar, rope and wire strand.
[0013] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention,
the restraint comprises at least two segments connected by a
pivot.
[0014] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention,
the enclosure is integrally-formed in the door.
[0015] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention,
the cover has angled, outwardly diverging top and bottom sides for
preventing interference between two adjacent storage cabinets
during opening and closing of the door.
[0016] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention,
a storage cabinet assembly for a garage door includes a plurality
of cabinets for being mounted on an interior surface of the garage
door in non-interfering relation to the movement of the garage door
between open and closed positions, each of the cabinets comprising
an enclosure having an opening therein; and each of the cabinets
including a cover mounted on the enclosure for movement between a
closed position wherein items are retained in the cabinet during
movement of the garage door and an open position wherein items may
be placed in or removed from the cabinet.
[0017] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention,
a storage cabinet in combination with a garage door, the storage
cabinet includes an enclosure integrally-formed in an interior wall
of the garage door in non-interfering relation to the movement of
the garage door between open and closed positions; and a cover
mounted on the enclosure for movement between a closed position
wherein items are retained in the cabinet during movement of the
garage door and an open position wherein items may be placed in or
removed from the cabinet.
[0018] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention,
a storage container for being mounted on a door includes an
enclosure for storing items, the enclosure adapted for being
suspended from a major wall of the door in a non-interfering
relation to the movement of the door between open and closed
positions; a cover attached to the enclosure; and a mounting
bracket for mounting the cabinet on the door.
[0019] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention,
the cover is a screw-type cover for screwing onto a top edge of the
enclosure having mating screw-threads thereon for releasably
securing the cover and enclosure together.
[0020] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention,
the mounting bracket includes a pivot for allowing the enclosure to
be suspended in a vertical orientation without regard to the
position of the door to which it is attached.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] Some of the objects of the invention have been set forth
above. Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as
the invention proceeds when taken in conjunction with the following
drawings, in which:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sectional garage door with
a plurality of attached garage door storage cabinets of an
embodiment of the invention;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the sectional garage door of
FIG. 1 and attached garage door storage cabinets;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a side elevation of a one-piece garage door with a
plurality of attached garage door storage cabinets;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a side view of the garage door storage
cabinet;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a side view of the garage door storage cabinet in
an open position;
[0027] FIG. 6 is a side view of the garage door storage cabinet in
an open position suspended from a horizontal garage door;
[0028] FIG. 7 is a side elevation of a sectional garage door with a
plurality of attached angled garage door storage cabinets according
to another embodiment of the invention;
[0029] FIG. 8 is a side view of the angled garage door storage
cabinet;
[0030] FIG. 9 is a side elevation of a sectional garage door with
integrated garage door storage cabinets of another embodiment of
the invention;
[0031] FIG. 10 is a side view of the integrated garage door storage
cabinet of FIG. 9;
[0032] FIG. 11 is a side view of the integrated garage door storage
cabinet in an open position;
[0033] FIG. 12 is a side elevation of a sectional garage door with
suspended garage door storage cabinets of a further embodiment of
the invention; and
[0034] FIG. 13 is a side view of the suspended garage door storage
cabinet of FIG. 12.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND BEST MODE
[0035] Referring now specifically to the drawings, a garage door
storage cabinet assembly according to an embodiment of the present
invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and shown generally at
reference numeral 10.
[0036] The cabinet assembly 10 is designed to be mounted to an
inside surface of an existing sectional garage door 11, and can be
made of any suitable material having a weight that can be safely
supported by the garage door 11. The cabinet assembly 10 is
comprised of multiple cabinets 10A-10D mounted on respective panels
11A-11D of the garage door 11. Alternatively, a single cabinet 10A
can be attached to any suitable door for use as a single unit.
[0037] The cabinets 10A-10D are preferably rectangular and can be
made in various sizes. The cabinets 10A-10D must be restricted in
size and must be spaced apart a sufficient distance from each other
to prevent interference between adjacent cabinets 10A and 10B, 10B
and 10C, and 10C and 10D when the door 11 passes around a degree
curve as the door 11 is raised to an open position or lowered to a
closed position (see FIG. 2).
[0038] Referring to FIG. 3, the cabinet assembly 10 may
alternatively be mounted to an inside surface of a one-piece,
tilt-up garage door 20. The one-piece garage door 20 allows greater
flexibility in the sizing and spacing of the cabinets 10A-10D since
interference between the cabinets 10A-10D is no longer a concern.
In addition, the one-piece garage door 20 allows the cabinets to be
positioned in either a horizontal or vertical orientation.
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 4-6, the cabinet 10A, which is
representative of cabinets 10A-10D, includes a storage enclosure 13
which defines an opening 15 that is provided with a storage cover
14. The cover 14 also preferably includes a storage compartment 16
for storing items in the cover 14. Thus items may be stored in
either the enclosure 13 or the cover 14. The cover 14 is connected
to the enclosure 13 by a pin 17, allowing the cover 14 to open and
close. An elongate restraint 18, preferably formed of two rod
segments 19 and 20 connected together by a pivot 21. The restraint
18 is connected to the enclosure 13 by a pin 22 and to the cover 14
by a pin 23. The restraint 18 may be made of plastic, metal, or any
other suitable material. The restraint 18 may alternatively
comprise a rope, wire strand or cable. The restraint 18 prevents
the cover 14 from falling under its own weight or otherwise
rotating past a predetermined limit, for example, a 90 degree angle
with the enclosure 13 as illustrated in FIG. 5.
[0040] This configuration allows the cabinet assembly 10 to be used
when the garage door 11 is in a vertical closed position or in a
horizontal open position, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 7, a cabinet assembly 30 according to
another embodiment may have angled sides 31 and 32 to allow
multiple cabinets 30A-30D to be spaced at closer intervals and
prevent interference between adjacent cabinets 30A and 30B, 30B and
30C, and 30C and 30D when mounted to individual panels 11A'-11D' of
a sectional garage door 11'.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 8, the cabinet assembly 30 functions in
the same manner as the cabinet assembly 10 described above in FIGS.
4-6. The cabinet 30 includes a storage enclosure 33 and a storage
cover 34. The cover 34 includes a storage compartment 35 and is
connected to the enclosure 33 by a pin 36. A restraint 37 is
connected to the enclosure 33 by a pin 38 and to the cover 34 via a
pin 39.
[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 9-11, in another embodiment of the
invention, a garage door storage cabinet assembly 40 is integrated
with a sectional garage door 41. The cabinet assembly 40 is
recessed into the garage door 41, reducing the amount of intrusion
by the cabinet 40 into the garage area. The cabinet 40 can be used
with multiple cabinets 40A-40D recessed into individual panels
41A-41D or as a single unit. The cabinet 40 may also be integrated
into a one-piece garage door or other suitable door.
[0044] The cabinet 40 operates in the same manner as the cabinet
10. The cabinet 40 includes a storage enclosure 42 and a storage
cover 43. The enclosure 42 is formed at least in part by the recess
in the garage door 41. The cover 43 has a storage compartment 45
for storing items in the cover 43. The cover 43 is connected to the
enclosure 42 by a pin 44 to allow the cover 43 to rotate between
open and closed positions. The cover 43 and enclosure 42 are also
connected by an elongate restraint 46 comprising two rods 47 and 48
connected by a hinge 49. The restraint 46 is connected to the
enclosure 42 by a pin 50 and to the cover 43 by a pin 51. The
restraint 46 may be made of plastic, metal, or any other suitable
material. The restraint 46 may alternatively comprise a rope, wire
strand or cable.
[0045] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, in a further embodiment of the
invention, a garage door storage assembly 60 is suspended from a
garage door 61. The container assembly 60 is comprised of a
plurality of enclosures 62 and respective covers 63 suspended from
mounting brackets 64 attached to the garage door 61. The mounting
brackets 64 are formed from a pair of bars 66 and 67 connected for
pivoting movement relative to each other by a hinge 68. The
mounting brackets 64 are designed to allow the enclosure 62 to
remain in a vertical position regardless of the position of the
garage door 61.
[0046] The cover 63 is a screw-type cover for being screwed onto a
top edge of the enclosure 62. The cover 63 and enclosure 62 may
also be connected by a fastener, such as a clamp (not shown). The
cover 63 is attached to the mounting bracket 64 to allow the
enclosure 62 to be suspended from the mounting bracket 64. The
cover 63 also allows the enclosure 62 to be removed from the garage
door 61 without the use of tools by unscrewing the enclosure 62
from the cover 63.
[0047] An important feature of the cabinet assemblies 10 and 30 is
the ability to remove a single cabinet 10A or 30A for utilization
in another location. For example, on a trip to the beach, cabinet
10A could be removed from garage door 11 and placed in a pickup
truck for storing beach paraphernalia. Upon return from the beach,
cabinet 10A could be positioned back on the garage door 11.
[0048] The cabinet assemblies 10 and 30 could also be removed and
replaced during different seasons. For example, an individual may
have multiple sets of cabinet assemblies. The individual may have a
cabinet assembly for the summer and another cabinet assembly for
the winter. This would allow the individual to store winter gear,
such as boots and salt, in the winter cabinet assembly and summer
gear, such as lawn accessories, in the summer cabinet assembly
without the need to remove and replace items in the cabinets.
[0049] In addition, the storage compartments 16, 35, and 45 may
also contain webbing or sub-containers (not shown). The webbing and
sub-containers could be used for separating and securing items in
the storage compartments 16, 35, and 45.
[0050] A garage door storage cabinet is described above. Various
details of the invention may be changed without departing from its
scope. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred
embodiments of the invention and the best mode for practicing the
invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not
for the purpose of limitation, the invention being identified in
the claims.
* * * * *