U.S. patent application number 12/263849 was filed with the patent office on 2010-05-06 for retractable garage storage container.
Invention is credited to Paul LUPINACCI, Thomas Anthony Carson LUPINACCI.
Application Number | 20100108627 12/263849 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42130146 |
Filed Date | 2010-05-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100108627 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LUPINACCI; Paul ; et
al. |
May 6, 2010 |
RETRACTABLE GARAGE STORAGE CONTAINER
Abstract
An overhead storage container in a closet like form that
utilizes unused space inside a garage, above a garage door. The
storage container is raised to a horizontal position and lowered
through a 90-degree rotation to a vertical position through the use
of two ropes, one of which is connected to a safety ratchet. The
container will not lower or rise unless the safety ratchet is
disengaged by the rope it is connected to. The second rope allows
for lowering or raising of the container until more rope must be
released through the use of the safety ratchet.
Inventors: |
LUPINACCI; Paul;
(Campbellville, CA) ; LUPINACCI; Thomas Anthony
Carson; (Campbellville, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BORDEN LADNER GERVAIS LLP;Anne Kinsman
WORLD EXCHANGE PLAZA, 100 QUEEN STREET SUITE 1100
OTTAWA
ON
K1P 1J9
CA
|
Family ID: |
42130146 |
Appl. No.: |
12/263849 |
Filed: |
November 3, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/116 ;
312/248 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 2051/005 20130101;
A47B 46/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/116 ;
312/248 |
International
Class: |
A47B 46/00 20060101
A47B046/00; A47F 5/08 20060101 A47F005/08 |
Claims
1. A retractable storage container, said container comprising: a
frame; said frame attached to a mounting rod; said mounting rod
connected to a mounting bracket affixed to a wall; said storage
container being attached to a ceiling by a utility hook and a
pulley; said pulley and a safety ratchet connected by a pull rope
and a ratchet release rope; and said safety ratchet connected to
said retractable storage container.
2. The container of claim 1 further comprising cotter pins attached
to said mounting rod to prevent said mounting rod from detaching
from said mounting bracket.
3. The container of claim 1 wherein said frame comprises a
plurality of tubes and connectors.
4. The container of claim 1 wherein said frame is covered in
mesh.
5. The container of claim 1 further comprising a shelf.
6. The container of claim 1 further comprising hooks.
7. The container of claim 1 further comprising a closet rod.
8. A method for lowering a retractable storage container, said
method comprising the steps of: disengaging a safety ratchet
through the use of a ratchet release rope; utilizing a pull rope to
lower said retractable storage container, when said safety ratchet
is not engaged.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a system and
method for utilizing ceiling space in a garage for storing
items.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Home-owners desire to utilize their garage for multiple
purposes. For example, some would like to use the garage as a
workshop while others would like to park their vehicle(s) inside.
However, often storing belongings takes up so much garage space
that other usages are restricted.
[0003] Although it is common to store items on the floor, on
shelves or hanging on the wall, both floor and wall space is
limited. An opportunity exists to provide storage space overhead.
The difficulty with many overhead storage devices is that they are
not easy to access since the user must carry items onto a ladder
for storage and retrieval.
[0004] Thus there is a need to allow a user to store and retrieve
items in a storage container at floor level as if utilizing a
closet, and to further provide means to easily retract the storage
container to occupy the space above an open garage door and below
the garage ceiling.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A garage may have any ceiling height. Typically in Canada
and the U.S. a garage has a ceiling height of approximately nine or
ten feet. The ceiling is usually constructed of joists or rafters
and may be finished with drywall or sheet rock. The typical garage
door opening is approximately seven feet high and wide enough to
allow one or two vehicles to enter side by side.
[0006] Garage doors open by rolling upwards. This is accomplished
by fitting the door with wheels on the two inside edges of the
door. These wheels roll on wheel tracks which are fastened to the
inside of the garage wall and ceiling. A torsion spring located on
the garage door header inside garage wall above the garage door
opening assists the raising and lowering operation.
[0007] Some garages utilize automatic garage door openers to
facilitate the opening and closing operation. These openers consist
of a motor typically mounted to the ceiling inside the garage with
a transmission device such as a chain and/or rail attached to the
garage door allowing the motor to raise and lower the door along
the wheel tracks.
[0008] The garage door in its open position is generally oriented
horizontally below the garage ceiling between the wheel tracks.
There exists a space above the open garage door and below the
garage ceiling which is typically not used and available for
storage of items. Specifically, the portion of this space between
one of the garage door wheel tracks and the garage door motor rail
is utilized by embodiments of this invention to position a storage
container in its retracted (overhead) position. As such, it
provides significant overhead storage capacity.
[0009] Embodiments of the invention allow this storage container to
be lowered from an overhead position to a lower position where
items can be loaded and retrieved at floor level, thus eliminating
the need to carry such items onto a ladder.
[0010] In its lowered position, the storage container defined in
this invention is positioned generally vertically along the inside
of the garage door opening (with the garage door closed) such that
it is aligned in between one of the garage door wheel tracks and
the garage door motor rail.
[0011] Embodiments of the invention provide the user all the
advantages of overhead storage with the convenience of storing and
retrieving items at floor level
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described,
by way of example only, with reference to the attached Figures,
wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of two storage containers in
the raised position;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a storage container about to be
lowered;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a lowered storage container;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a plan view of two storage container in the raised
position;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the components of a storage
container;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a plan view of mounting hardware for a storage
container;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the mesh components of the
storage container; and
[0020] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a storage container with
optional features.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] As described above, embodiments of the invention are
directed to providing overhead storage containers in a garage. The
storage containers are provided with means for raising and lowering
them from the ceiling of the garage. To describe in detail the
embodiments we refer first to FIG. 1.
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of two storage containers in
the raised position. Two storage containers 12 and 14 are shown in
the raised position proximate to ceiling 16. Although two storage
containers 12 and 14 have been shown, another embodiment may have a
single storage container. Depending upon the dimension of the
storage containers and the dimensions of the garage, any number of
storage containers may be utilized. Storage containers 12 and 14
are surrounded by mesh 13 so that articles are contained within
them. Mesh 13 may be of any form, such as a plastic or metal
composite. More detail on mesh 13 is provided in the description of
FIG. 7.
[0023] Storage containers 12 and 14 are mounted to mounting
brackets 20. Storage containers 12 and 14 pivot along mounting rod
22. Storage containers 12 and 14 when raised, reside above garage
door 24. Garage door wheels 26 and 28 roll along or are contained
within wheel tracks 30 and 32, thus providing means for opening or
raising garage door 24. Torsion spring 34 provides resistance so
that the lowering of door 24 can be controlled with resistance. In
the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, an electric motor 36 is used to
raise and lower door 24. Motor 36 utilizes a rail 38 connected to
door 24 by arm 40. When activated, the motor 36 moves the arm 40
along rail 38 to raise or lower door 24.
[0024] Referring now to FIG. 2 a plan view of a storage container
about to be lowered is shown. The mechanism for lowering and
raising storage container 14 comprises, a pulley 54 secured to
ceiling 16 by a hook or other securing device 56. Securing device
56 attaches to ceiling 16 to a ceiling stud (not shown) or a
ceiling bracket (not shown). One skilled in the art will appreciate
that a solid attachment for securing device 56 must be provided.
Two ropes pass through pulley 54, pull rope 64 and ratchet release
rope 66. The same ropes pass through safety locking ratchet 60.
Ropes 64 and 66 are attached to storage container 14 by means of a
hook or other attachment device 62, positioned centrally at the
base of the storage container 14.
[0025] In use, a user 50 holds a pull rope 64 in one hand and a
ratchet release rope 66 in the other hand. By slowly pulling on the
ratchet release rope 66, safety locking ratchet 60 is disengaged.
Safety locking ratchet 60 is disengaged as long as ratchet release
rope 66 is pulled. Each time the ratchet release rope 66 is pulled,
the pull rope 64 will be released. This allows for slow and
controlled lowering of the storage container 14. An example of a
safety locking ratchet 60 is provided under the brand name "Rope
Ratchet".TM. sold by Carolina North Mfg.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 3 a plan view of a lowered storage
container is shown. As such, the storage container resembles a
closet. In this position articles in the storage container may be
removed or more added. To raise the storage container 14, pull rope
64 is used. Ratchet release rope 66 passes through safety locking
ratchet 60 such that the storage container 14 will remain
stationary in its position whenever the ratchet release rope 66 is
released. The storage container 14 can be raised to its horizontal
(retracted) position by performing a series of manual pulls on the
pull rope 64. The safety locking ratchet 60 works such that the
ratchet release rope 66 is not required when raising storage
container 14.
[0027] Once the storage container has been raised to the ceiling 16
the pull rope 64 and ratchet release rope 66 may be coiled or hung
from attachment device 62 or some other connection at the base of
storage container 14, so that they are out of the way of the garage
door and people or pets in the garage.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 4 a plan view of two storage
containers in the raised position is shown to aid the reader in
understanding how an embodiment of the invention may be installed.
Here we have all of the features numbered as in previous Figures
with the addition of cotter pins 92 which ensure that mounting rod
22 does not detach from mounting bracket 20.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 5 a perspective view of the components
of a storage container is shown generally as 14. Storage container
14 is encased in mesh 13 (see FIG. 7). Storage container 14 is
constructed of a number of steel tubes and connectors. Steel has
been used for strength, but aluminum or heavy wall PVC might also
be used with any manner of connectors. It is not the intent of the
inventors to restrict the materials used to the embodiment
described. In one embodiment the tubing and fittings of
QuixxSmart.RTM. Structures Inc. of Peabody Mass., were
utilized.
[0030] In one embodiment the storage container 14 comprises the
following components: [0031] a) four top base tubes 70; [0032] b)
eight bottom base tubes 72; [0033] c) ten supporting tubes 74;
[0034] d) three base connection tubes 76; [0035] e) six straight
connectors 78; [0036] f) fourteen angle connectors 80; [0037] g)
eight clamp connectors 82; [0038] h) one mounting rod 22. and
[0039] i) four cross connectors 84.
[0040] Depending on the weight capacity and the strength of the
tube material, the frame construction may vary, for example only
six bottom base tubes may be used, so that there are three rows of
bottom base tubes instead of four.
[0041] Although there is no restriction on the size of storage
container 14 as long as it fits within the contained space and
supports a required load, one that appears to be practical during
testing utilized top base tubes 70 and bottom base tubes 72 having
a length of three feet each, combining to make a total of six feet
when connected by straight connectors 78.
[0042] Supporting tubes 74 in one embodiment were eighteen inches
in length and base connection tubes 76 were thirty eight inches in
length.
[0043] By utilizing tubes and connectors that may be assembled as
separate components, embodiments of the invention may be easily
transported in compact packaging.
[0044] FIG. 6 is a plan view of mounting hardware for a storage
container. FIG. 6 illustrates mounting bracket 20 attached to wall
18. Any mounting means capable of supporting storage container 14
may be utilized in one embodiment, mounting bracket 20 is mounted
to head frame 17, which is in turn secured to wall 18. Mounting
bracket 20 is connected to mounting rod 22 through the use of bolts
90, nuts 92 and support plate 94. Cotter pin 96 serves to prevent
mounting rod 22 from detaching from mounting bracket 20. This
arrangement retains mounting rod 22 within mounting bracket 20 and
allows storage container 14 to pivot.
[0045] Referring now to FIG. 7 a perspective view of the mesh
components of a storage container is shown. Until now the mesh
feature has been referred to solely as "mesh 13"; although it may
be a single piece of mesh, wrapped around container 14 we here
describe an alternative embodiment. Mesh 13 comprises bottom mesh
13a, base mesh 13b and top mesh 13c. Each of 13a, 13b and 13c are
secured to the tubes of container 14 through the use of a
connecting device 108 such as a plastic tie down tie or wire tie.
Multiple connecting devices may be employed to secure mesh 13 to
the tubes of container 14.
[0046] Referring now to FIG. 8 a perspective view of a storage
container with optional features is shown. Storage container 14 may
be equipped with hooks 100 which allow for items to be stored
hanging from a hook 100. In addition load securing straps 106 may
be utilized. Such a strap 106 may be of any design, but bungee
cords are suggested.
[0047] A shelf 102 may also be utilized. The shelf 102 has base
connection tubes 76 as a frame and clamp connectors 82 to attach to
supporting tubes 74. Mesh 13d serves as the base material for shelf
102.
[0048] A closet rod 104 may also be utilized. Closet rod 104 has
base connection tubes 76 and a supporting tube 74 to create a
frame, which connects to supporting tubes 74 through the use of
clamp connectors 82.
[0049] The above-described embodiments of the invention are
intended to be examples only. Alterations, modifications and
variations can be effected to the particular embodiments by those
of skill in the art without departing from the scope of the
invention, which is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.
For example, although embodiments of the invention as described are
for use in a garage, they may equally be used in other areas, such
as attics or basements or in external structures such as barns.
* * * * *