Crawl Space Storage System

Abstract

A crawl space storage and retrieval system is provided which allows a user to maximize the storing of items in a crawl space area and to retrieve stored items therefrom without entering the crawl space area. The storage and retrieval system includes a central hub assembly, a support assembly, and a plurality of edge rail sections. The central hub assembly is formed of a ball-bearing frame assembly disposed between a lower base member and an upper base member. A cover plate is disposed on top of the upper base member. The support assembly is formed of a plurality of platform sections in which each platform section is interconnected to other platform sections and to the upper base member. Each of the plurality of removable edge rail sections is interconnected to a corresponding one of the plurality of platform sections.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application of provisional application Ser. No. 60/809,559 filed on May 31, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates generally to rotatable storage structures for storing and retrieving stored items, and more particularly, the present invention relates to an improved crawl space storage system which includes a substantially circular interlocking platform that is capable of 360 degree rotation through the use of a ball-bearing center hub assembly.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] Generally, a person such as a homeowner accumulates many possessions over the course of a lifetime. Often times these possessions are not of immediate use, such as in the case of seasonal decorations or sentimental possessions, and require storage in order for the person to freely enjoy his living space. As time progresses and the homeowner acquires more possessions, storage space comes as a premium. For that reason, storage space is even more of a premium to the average sized family and it is essential to utilize any storage space to the maximum.

[0006] In most instances, maximizing the use of storage space is not the only goal. It is also important to store the possessions in a manner in which the possessions are easily accessible. As a result, many solutions have been attempted to maximize the use of storage spaces with the intent of convenient access to those stored items. Because access is also an important goal when storing items, people often ignore or underutilize storage space that is difficult to reach. Numerous solutions have attempted to efficiently make use of cabinet space by implementing rotatable storage devices, such as "lazy susans", within the cabinet. Other solutions have attempted to utilize storage space by including a rail system positioned under the floor level to store specially-sized containers. However, these attempts did not exploit the full use of crawl space storage areas in existing homes and in the new homes to be built.

[0007] In view of these attempts to maximize storage space, new implementations in crawl space storage systems have been developed in the prior art for the home improvement industry. As discussed above, some solutions have included the use of a rail system positioned under the floor level to store specially sized containers. Although these solutions may have performed adequately so as to maximize usage of the crawl space, these solutions only slightly increased the amount of usable space and none of the solutions considered the objective of creating a system whereby convenient access to the stored items eliminated the need to enter the crawl space areas in the existing homes and in the homes to be constructed.

[0008] Therefore, it should come as no surprise that crawl space storage systems have been developed and constructed heretofore in the prior art so as maximize the use of storage space areas. In spite of these efforts in the prior art, it would be still desirable to provide an improved crawl space storage system that utilizes a crawl space as an effective and safe storage area while eliminating the need to actually enter the crawl space.

[0009] A prior art search directed to the subject matter of this application in the U. S. Patent and Trademark Office revealed the following Letters Patent: TABLE-US-00001 3,290,104 5,244,270 5,479,867 5,601,395 5,813,736 6,202,359

[0010] The search also revealed U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2005/0028481 published on Feb. 10, 2005 and 2005/0076817 published on Apr. 14, 2005, as well as the following Japanese Patent Application Publication Nos.: TABLE-US-00002 03144063 04014563 05033472 10248649 10339029 2000001980

[0011] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,736 to Ballew issued on Sep. 29, 1998, there is disclosed a cabinet storage device. The device comprises multiple vertical panels mounted upon a rotating platform. The entire device is designed to be installed within a cabinet. Thus, any of the vertical panels may be rotated to the front of the cabinet for access.

[0012] In U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,359 to Reed issued on Mar. 20, 2001, an under floor storage system for a building, such as a house, is disclosed. The system comprises a rail system supporting a train of serially coupled wagons. Both the rail system and wagons are appropriately sized to fit within the space below floor level. The serially coupled wagons are movable along the rail system and allow a user to access any one of the wagon's contents through a floor opening.

[0013] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,479,867 to Blevins et al. issued on Jan. 2, 1996, there is disclosed a rotary table. The rotary table includes a circular base and a top plate. Located between the circular base and the top plate is a bearing retainer, which receives a plurality of balls. Because the circular base rests on a stable flat surface, such as a floor, and the top plate rests on the bearing retainer, the top plate is able to rotate in a circular manner due to the bearing retainer.

[0014] In U.S. Patent Application No. 2005/0076817 to Boks et al. published on Apr. 14, 2005, there is disclosed a lazy susan with a pull-out shelving. The device includes a support base which is rotatably coupled to a centralized support pole, in a manner so that the support base can rotate entirely throughout a 360 degree circle. Wedge-shaped shelves are mounted onto a series of linear slides, which are also rotatable about the centralized support pole. The shelves are permitted to slide radially outward from the support base.

[0015] The remaining patents, listed above but not specifically discussed, are deemed to be only of general interest and show the state of the art in storage and retrieval systems for use in supporting items and for facilitating access to the items by a user.

[0016] None of the prior art discussed above discloses a crawl space storage system like that of the present invention which provides a substantially circular interlocking platform that is capable of 360 degree rotation through the use of a ball-bearing hub assembly, and which maximizes the storage area of a crawl space without having to enter the crawl space when accessing the stored items.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved crawl space storage system which allows a person to utilize a crawl space as an effective and safe storage area, but yet overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0018] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved crawl space storage system which allows a homeowner to access stored items while eliminating the need to actually enter the crawl space area.

[0019] It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved crawl space storage system which is of a durable construction, affordable in cost, and is relatively easy to be transported, assembled and operated by the average homeowner.

[0020] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a improved storage space system which includes a substantially circular interlocking platform that is capable of 360 degree rotation through the use of a ball-bearing hub assembly.

[0021] It is yet still another object of the present invention to provide an improved storage space system which has a low profile design and includes a plurality of extension sections as to produce an expandable platform.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a crawl space storage and retrieval system which allows a user to maximize the storing of items in a crawl space area and to retrieve stored items therefrom without entering the crawl space area. The storage and retrieval system includes a central hub assembly, a support assembly, and a plurality of edge rail sections. The central hub assembly is formed of a ball-bearing frame assembly disposed between a lower base member and an upper base member. A cover plate is disposed on top of the upper base member.

[0023] The support assembly is formed of a plurality of platform sections in which each platform section is interconnected to other platform sections and to the upper base member. Each of the plurality of removable edge rail sections is interconnected to a corresponding one of the plurality of platform sections.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings with like reference numerals indicating corresponding parts throughout, wherein:

[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the fully assembled crawl space storage system, constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 2 is a perspective view, similar to FIG. 1, of a second embodiment of a fully assembled crawl space storage system with extension members;

[0027] FIGS. 2a and 2b are partial, exploded perspective views of respective FIGS. 1 and 2, showing the interchangeability feature between an edge rail section and an extension member, onto a platform section;

[0028] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the center hub assembly of FIG. 1 in its completed condition, with the cover plate being separated;

[0029] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the center hub assembly of FIG. 3;

[0030] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view detailing the intricate features of the dove-tail snap slot design of the center hub assembly and the platform sections of FIG. 1;

[0031] FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the fully assembled crawl space storage system of FIG. 2, showing the casters on the platform sections and extension sections; and

[0032] FIG. 7 is a partially exploded perspective view of the interlocking mechanism of the center hub assembly of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] It is to be distinctly understood at the outset that the present invention shown in the drawings and described in detail in association with a crawl storage space system is not intended to serve as a limitation upon the scope or teachings thereof, but is to be considered merely for the purpose of convenience of illustration of one example of its application. The present invention has numerous applications in other fields of use, such as in attics, sub-basements, aircraft hangers, storage facilities, sheds, garages, and the like, since the invention pertains to a storage and retrieval system which utilizes storage space areas on a more efficient and economical basis.

[0034] Referring now in detail to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7 an improved crawl space storage system 10 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 1, crawl space storage system 10 is defined by a center hub assembly 12, a support assembly 14 formed of a plurality of interlocking platform sections 16, and a plurality of removable edge rail sections 18. Although the support assembly 14 may include any number of interlocking platform sections 16, it is preferable that eight sections be provided for the present embodiment as shown in FIG. 1. Therefore, the detailed description that follows will discuss the rest of the interconnected parts in accordance with the storage system 10 having eight interlocking platform sections 16.

[0036] Referring to the exploded view of FIG. 4, the center hub assembly 12 includes a lower base member 34, an upper base member 36, a ball-bearing frame assembly 38 and a cover plate 40. The lower base member 34 has a substantially circular bottom surface 42. A peripheral skirt 44 extends upwardly from the bottom surface 42 and gradually tapers inwardly towards the center. Thus, upper portion 46 of the peripheral skirt 44 has a diameter that is slightly less than the diameter of the bottom surface 42. As best seen from FIGS. 4 and 7, a peripheral lip 48 projects outwardly along the circumference of the upper portion 46 of the peripheral skirt 44. The peripheral skirt 44 includes an inner wall 50, which has a peripheral ledge 52 that extends slightly inward.

[0037] A cylindrically-shaped divider member 54 also extends upwardly, to a height just above the peripheral lip 48, from the bottom surface 42 and has a diameter that is slightly less than the diameter of the peripheral skirt 44. Thus, the cylindrically-shaped divider member 54 creates a hollow inner reservoir 56 and an outer reservoir 58. The inner reservoir 56 may be filled with a weighted material such as sand, water or the like so as to provide for greater stability. The outer reservoir 58 is located between the inner wall 50 of the peripheral skirt 44 and the cylindrically-shaped divider member 54.

[0038] Referring still to FIGS. 4 and 7, the ball-bearing frame assembly 38 includes an upper bearing race 60, a lower bearing race 62 and a plurality of ball-bearings 64 located therebetween. The diameter of the upper and lower bearing races 60,62 are dimensioned so that the lower bearing race 62 will rest upon the peripheral ledge 52 when the center hub assembly 12 is fully assembled.

[0039] The upper base member 36 includes a substantially circular top surface 63. A peripheral skirt 66 has an inner wall 68 and an outer wall 70, both of which extend downwardly from the top surface 64 to form a substantially narrow lip-receiving space 74 and a centralized aperture 76, which is sized to appropriately fit around the periphery of the cylindrically-shaped divider member 54. The top surface 64 includes a plurality of (eight) dove-tail slots 72a-72h for receiving corresponding ones of an appropriately configured dove-tail tab 26, which protrudes outwardly from an apex 17 of the interlocking platform sections 16 (described hereinbelow).

[0040] As shown in the inset portion A of FIG. 7, a peripheral snap locking projection 78 projects inwardly from the outer wall 70 of peripheral skirt 66 of the upper base member 36 and is located within the substantially narrow lip-receiving space 74. The peripheral snap locking projection 78 is designed to co-mate with the peripheral lip 48 of the lower base member 34. Thus, when the upper base member 36 is placed over, and pressed downwardly onto, the lower base member 34 the ball-bearing frame assembly 38 will be entrapped between the two base members 34,36 because the snap lock 78 and peripheral lip 48 will be snappingly interlocked together so as to prevent the two base members 34,36 from being removed from one another. In this manner, the completed center hub assembly 12 is provided as shown in FIG. 3.

[0041] As stated before, although the support assembly 14 may include any number of interlocking platform sections 16, it is believed that eight sections provide the best mode for the preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 1. Because each of the eight interlocking platform sections 16 is identical in configuration and shape, it is sufficient to describe only one platform section 16 in great detail in order to appreciate the features of all eight platform sections.

[0042] As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 2a, 2b and 5, the interlocking platform section 16 is of a pie or wedge-shaped configuration and includes an apex 17, an outer side 20, and opposed first and second lateral sides 22,24. One dove-tail tab 26 extends outwardly from the apex 17 and three dove-tail slots 28a-28c are located along the outer side 20 of the platform section 16. Three dove-tail slots 30a-30c are located along the first lateral side 22 of the platform section 16. Along the second lateral side 24 of the platform section 16, there are provided three dove-tail tabs or snaps 32a-32c. The dove-tail slots 30a-30c of one platform section are designed and contoured to appropriately interlock and receive the corresponding co-mating dove-tail tabs 32a-32c of another platform section. Further, the dove-tail tab 26 on each apex 17 of the platform sections 16 are designed and contoured to be appropriately inserted and interlock with the corresponding ones of the dove-tail slots 72a-72h formed on the upper base member 36 of the center hub assembly 12.

[0043] The removable edge rail section 18 is of a substantially narrow rectangular configuration and has three downwardly projecting dove-tail tabs 80a-80c. Similarly, the dove-tail slots 28a-28c on the outer side 20 of one platform section are designed and contoured to appropriately interlock and receive the corresponding co-mating dove-tail tabs 80a-80c of a removable edge rail section 18. In this fashion, the platform sections 16 and edge rail sections 18 of the support assembly 14 are interconnected together and joined to the center hub assembly 12 to form the crawl space storage system 10 of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0044] Still referring to FIGS. 2, 2a, and 2b, it will be noted that the crawl space storage system 110 is substantially identical to the storage system 10 of FIG. 1, except that the edge rail sections 18 have been removed and are replaced with corresponding extension sections 19. The plurality of extension sections 19 allows for the capability of expanding in an easy manner the storage system 10 to accommodate the storing of additional items.

[0045] In particular, each of the extension sections 19 is of a substantially larger rectangular configuration than the rail sections 18 and includes an outer side 21, opposed first and second lateral sides 23, 25 and an inner side 27. Three dove-tail tabs 29a-29c are located on the inner side 27. A dove-tail slot 31 is located along the first lateral side 23, and a dove-tail tab 33 is located along the second lateral side 25. The dove-tail slot 31 of one extension section is designed and contoured to appropriately interlock and receive the corresponding co-mating dove-tail tab 33 of another extension section. Further, the dove-tail tabs 29a-29c are designed and contoured to be appropriately inserted and interlock with the corresponding ones of the dove-tail slots 28a-28c formed on the outer side 20 of the platform sections 16, after the edge rail sections 18 have been removed. In this fashion, the platform sections 16 and extension sections 19 are interconnected together and joined to the center hub assembly 12 to form the crawl space storage system 110 of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0046] In FIG. 6, there is shown a bottom view of the fully assembled crawl space storage system 110 of FIG. 2. Each of the platform sections 16 are provided with a pair of casters 81 mounted on its bottom surface so as to facilitate rotational movement. Further, the casters 81 are adapted to ride in a circular track 85 (only shown for one platform section) which allows for a smooth rotation movement and adds stability. This is especially true when the crawl space is a dirt or gravel floor. Similarly, each of the extension sections 19 are provided with a pair of casters 83 mounted on its bottom surface so as to facilitate rotational movement. Likewise, the casters 83 are adapted to ride in a second circular track 87 (only shown for one extension section) which allows for a smooth rotation movement and adds stability.

[0047] It is anticipated that the major components in the center hub assembly, the wedge-shaped platform sections, the edge rail sections, and extension sections may each be manufactured by injection molding from a high-impact polypropylene or similar durable plastic material. However, certain applications may require the use of metal or other materials for one or more of the components, depending upon the loading requirements of the storage system and its exposure to different temperature and chemical environments.

[0048] It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the components of crawl space storage system in the present invention may be made of different sizes and dimensions which can be scaled up or down so as to accommodate the particular application. For illustration purposes, the support assembly formed of the platform sections and edge rail sections in FIG. 1 has a diameter of approximately eight feet. The support assembly formed of the platform sections and the extension section in FIG. 2 is expandable to a diameter of about ten feet.

[0049] From the foregoing detailed description, it can thus be seen that the present invention provides a crawl space storage and retrieval system which allows a user to maximize the storing of items in a crawl space area and to retrieve stored items therefrom without entering the crawl space area. The storage and retrieval system includes a central hub assembly, a support assembly, and a plurality of removable edge rail sections. When the edge rail sections are removed, they can be replaced with larger extension sections so to as allow for storing of additional items.

[0050] While there has been illustrated and described what is at present considered to be a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the central scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that this invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A crawl space storage and retrieval system which allows a user to maximize the storing of items in a crawl space area and to retrieve stored items therefrom without entering the crawl space area, comprising: a central hub assembly formed of a lower base member, an upper base member, a ball-bearing frame assembly disposed between said lower base member and said upper base member, and a cover plate disposed on said upper base member; a support assembly formed of a plurality of platform sections in which each platform section is interconnected to other platform sections and to said upper base member; and a plurality of removable edge rail sections, each of said edge rail sections being interconnected to a corresponding one of said plurality of platform sections.

2. A crawl space storage and retrieval system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cover plate, said upper base member, said ball-bearing frame assembly, and said support assembly are rotatable to turn 360 degrees relative to said lower base member which remains stationary during rotation.

3. A crawl space storage and retrieval system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ball-bearing frame assembly includes an upper bearing race, a lower bearing race, and a plurality of ball-bearings captured between said upper and lower bearing races.

4. A crawl space storage and retrieval system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lower and upper base members include co-mating interlocking projections which are locked snappingly together so as to form said central hub assembly.

5. A crawl space storage and retrieval system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of platform sections has a substantially wedge-shaped configuration, with each platform section having an apex, opposed first and second lateral sides, and an outer side.

6. A crawl space storage and retrieval system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support assembly is formed of a substantially circular-shaped configuration.

7. A crawl space storage and retrieval system as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of said platform sections includes a plurality of first dove-tail tabs formed on its first lateral side, a plurality of first dove-tail slots formed on its second lateral side, a plurality of second dove-tail slots formed on its outer side, and a second dove-tail tab formed on its apex.

8. A crawl space storage and retrieval system as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of said platform sections includes a pair of casters disposed on a bottom surface thereof and adapted to ride in a circular track to facilitate rotational movement.

9. A crawl space storage and retrieval system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lower base member of said hub assembly is filled with a weighted material so as to provide greater stability.

10. A crawl space storage and retrieval system as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of said edge rail sections includes a plurality of dove-tail tabs for mating with corresponding ones of said second dove-tail slots formed on the outer side of said platform sections.

11. A crawl space storage and retrieval system which allows a user to maximize the storing of items in a crawl space area and to retrieve stored items therefrom without entering the crawl space area, comprising: a central hub assembly formed of a lower base member, an upper base member, a ball-bearing frame assembly disposed between said lower base member and said upper base member, and a cover plate disposed on said upper base member; a support assembly formed of a plurality of platform sections in which each platform section is interconnected to other platform sections and to said upper base member; and a plurality of extension sections, each of said extensions sections being interconnected to a corresponding one of said plurality of platform sections.

12. A crawl space storage and retrieval system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said cover plate, said upper base member, said ball-bearing frame assembly, and said support assembly are rotatable to turn 360 degrees relative to said lower base member which remains stationary during rotation.

13. A crawl space storage and retrieval system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said ball-bearing frame assembly includes an upper bearing race, a lower bearing race, and a plurality of ball-bearings captured between said upper and lower bearing races.

14. A crawl space storage and retrieval system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said lower and upper base members include co-mating interlocking projections which are locked snappingly together so as to form said central hub assembly.

15. A crawl space storage and retrieval system as claimed in claim 11, wherein each of said plurality of platform sections has a substantially wedge-shaped configuration, with each platform section having an apex, opposed first and second lateral sides, and an outer side.

16. A crawl space storage and retrieval system as claimed in claim 15, wherein each of said platform sections includes a plurality of first dove-tail tabs formed on its first lateral side, a plurality of first dove-tail slots formed on its second lateral side, a plurality of second dove-tail slots formed on its outer side, and a second dove-tail slot formed on its apex.

17. A crawl space storage and retrieval system as claimed in claim 16, wherein each of said platform sections includes a pair of casters disposed on a bottom surface thereof and adapted to ride in a circular track to facilitate rotational movement.

18. A crawl space storage and retrieval system as claimed in claim 16, wherein each of said extension sections includes a plurality of dove-tail tabs for mating with corresponding ones of said second dove-tail slots formed on the outer side of said platform sections.

19. A storage and retrieval system, comprising: central hub means including a ball-bearing frame assembly for allowing 360 degrees of rotation; support means formed of a plurality of platform sections in which each platform section is interconnected to other platform sections and to said central hub means; and edge rail section means interconnected to said plurality of platform sections and being removable for allowing expansion of the area of said support means.

20. A storage and retrieval system as claimed in claim 19, further comprising a plurality of extension sections, with each of said extension sections having dove-tail tabs on its one side for mating with corresponding dove-tail slots formed on said platform sections when said edge rail section means is removed.