U.S. patent application number 13/314607 was filed with the patent office on 2013-06-13 for storage system.
The applicant listed for this patent is John Grimes. Invention is credited to John Grimes.
Application Number | 20130146552 13/314607 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48571023 |
Filed Date | 2013-06-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130146552 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Grimes; John |
June 13, 2013 |
STORAGE SYSTEM
Abstract
A storage system for storing objects is provided. The storage
system may include a frame having sides and a guide rail system
supported on the frame between the frame sides, the guide rail
system including a pair of slide members that are selectively
extendable beyond the frame sides. The storage system may futher
include a tray moveable within the guide rail system and
releaseably supported by the pair of slide members for movement
with the slide members relative to the frame, the tray may be
selectively removable from the slide members and tiltable with
respect to the slide members, and a mounting mechanism operable for
securing the tray to one of the slide members, the mounting
mechanism being selectively releasable for allowing manual removal
of the tray from the slide members.
Inventors: |
Grimes; John; (Portland,
OR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Grimes; John |
Portland |
OR |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48571023 |
Appl. No.: |
13/314607 |
Filed: |
December 8, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/126.15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 88/48 20170101;
A47B 2088/4274 20170101; A47B 73/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/126.15 |
International
Class: |
A47B 23/00 20060101
A47B023/00 |
Claims
1. A storage system for storing objects, the storage system
comprising: a frame having sides; a guide rail system supported on
the frame between the frame sides, the guide rail system including
a pair of slide members that are selectively extendable beyond the
frame sides; a tray moveable within the guide rail system and
releaseably supported by the pair of slide members for movement
with the slide members relative to the frame, the tray being
selectively removable from the slide members and tiltable with
respect to the slide members; and a mounting mechanism operable for
securing the tray to one of the slide members, the mounting
mechanism being selectively releasable for allowing manual removal
of the tray from the slide members.
2. The storage system of claim 1; wherein the mounting mechanism
includes a pair of latch members, each latch member moveably
disposed on one of the guide rail system and the tray; and a pair
latch retention members disposed on the other of the guide rail
system and the tray, each latch retention member including a first
detent configured to releaseably retain the latch member, and
thereby the tray in an associated position relative to the slide
members.
3. The storage system of claim 2; wherein each latch member is
moveably disposed on either side of the tray adjacent the guide
rail system and each latch retention member is disposed on one of
the pair of slide members.
4. The storage system of claim 2; wherein the tray is positionable
relative to the slide members in at least a storage position, a
first tilt position disposed at a first angle relative to the
storage position, and a second tilt position disposed at a second
angle relative to the storage position, the second angle being
different than the first angle and the first detent releaseably
retains the latch member, and thereby the tray in one of the
storage position, the first tilt position and the second tilt
position relative to the slide members.
5. The storage system of claim 4; wherein each latch retention
member includes a second detent, the second detent configured to
releaseably retain the latch member, and thereby the tray in one of
the storage position, the first tilt position and the second tilt
position relative to the slide members.
6. The storage system of claim 3, wherein the tray includes handles
disposed on either side of the tray adjacent the guide rail system
and the pair of latch members are moveably disposed on the tray
adjacent the handles.
7. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the tray includes a
plurality of elongate indentations configured to retain a portion
of the objects, the elongate indentations disposed at an angle with
respect to a front wall of the tray.
8. The storage system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of
trays configured to be securely retained in a stacked position
outside of the frame, each tray including a pair of tray side walls
having one or both of a stacking recess and a stacking
protrusion.
9. A storage system for storing objects, the storage system
comprising: a frame; a guide rail system supported by the frame; a
tray supported by the guide rail system for movement between a
stowed position within the frame and an operative position outside
the frame, the tray being removable from the guide rail system when
the tray is in the operative position, the tray being positionable
relative to the guide rail system when the tray is in the operative
position in at least a storage position, a first tilt position
disposed at a first angle relative to the storage position, and a
second tilt position disposed at a second angle relative to the
storage position, the second angle being different than the first
angle; and a mounting mechanism configured to selectively retain
the tray in at least the storage position, the first tilt position
and the second tilt position, the mounting mechanism being manually
operable for disengaging the tray from a respective one of the
storage, first tilt, and second tilt positions and allowing
movement of the tray to another of the storage, first tilt, and
second tilt positions.
10. The storage system of claim 9; wherein the mounting mechanism
includes a pair of latch members, each latch member moveably
disposed on one of the guide rail system and the tray; and a pair
latch retention members disposed on the other of the guide rail
system and the tray, each latch retention member including at least
three detents configured to releaseably retain the latch member,
and thereby the tray in one of the storage position, the first tilt
position and the second tilt position relative to the slide
members.
11. The storage system of claim 10, wherein the tray includes
handles disposed on either side of the tray adjacent the guide rail
system and the pair of latch members are moveably disposed on the
tray adjacent the handles.
12. The storage system of claim 10, wherein the guide rail system
includes a pair of slide members that are extendable outside of the
frame and the latch retention members are disposed on the slide
members.
13. The storage system of claim 10, wherein each latch member is
moveable between a lock position in which the latch member is
engaged with the latch retention member and a release position in
which the latch member is disengaged from the latch retention
member; the tray being removable from the guide rail system when
the latch members are in the release position and the tray being
positionable relative to the guide rail system when the latch
members are in the release position.
14. The storage system of claim 9, wherein the tray includes a
plurality of elongate indentations configured to retain a portion
of the objects, the elongate indentations disposed at an angle with
respect to a front wall of the tray.
15. The storage system of claim 9, further comprising a plurality
of trays configured to be securely retained in a stacked position
outside of the storage system, each tray including a pair of side
walls having one or both of a stacking recess and a stacking
protrusion.
16. A storage system for storing objects, the storage system
comprising: a frame; a guide rail system support by the frame; a
tray supported by the guide rail system for movement between a
stowed position within the frame and an operative position outside
the frame, the tray being removable from the guide rail system when
the tray is in the operative position, the tray being positionable
relative to the guide rail system when the tray is in the operative
position in at least a storage position and a first tilt position
disposed at a first angle relative to the storage position; a pair
of latch members, each latch member moveably disposed on one of the
guide rail system and the tray; and a pair of latch retention
members disposed on the other of the guide rail system and the
tray, each latch retention member including a first detent
configured to releaseably retain the latch member, and thereby the
tray in one of the storage position and the first tilt position
relative to the guide rail system.
17. The storage system of claim 16; wherein each latch member is
moveably disposed on either side of the tray adjacent the guide
rail system and each latch retention member is disposed on the
guide rail system.
18. The storage system of claim 16; wherein the tray is
positionable relative to the guide rail system in a second tilt
position disposed at a second angle relative to the storage
position, the second angle being different than the first angle and
each latch retention member includes a second detent, the second
detent configured to releaseably retain the latch member, and
thereby the tray in one of the storage position, the first tilt
position and the second tilt position relative to the slide
members.
19. The storage system of claim 17, wherein the tray includes
handles disposed on either side of the tray adjacent the guide rail
system and the pair of latch members are moveably disposed on the
tray adjacent the handles.
20. The storage system of claim 16, wherein the tray includes a
plurality of elongate indentations configured to retain a portion
of the objects, the elongate indentations disposed at an angle with
respect to a front wall of the tray.
21. The storage system of claim 16, further comprising a plurality
of trays configured to be securely retained in a stacked position
outside of the frame, each tray including a pair of side walls
having one or both of a stacking recess and a stacking
protrusion.
22. The storage system of claim 17, wherein either side of the tray
includes a tray sliding member and the latch retention member
includes a sliding member slot having an open end, the slot
configured to retain the tray sliding member.
23. A storage system for storing objects, the storage system
comprising: a frame; a guide rail system supported by the frame; a
tray supported by the guide rail system for movement between a
stowed position within the frame and an operative position outside
the frame, the tray including a pair of tray side walls, each side
wall having a handle, the tray being one of removable from the
guide rail system when the tray is in the operative position and
positionable relative to the guide rail system when the tray is in
the operative position in at least a storage position and a first
tilt position disposed at a first angle relative to the storage
position; and a pair of latch members, each latch member moveably
disposed on one of the pair tray side walls adjacent the handle and
configured to releaseably engage the guide rail system.
24. The storage system of claim 23, further comprising a pair of
latch retention member disposed on the guide rail system, each
latch retention member configured to releaseably retain the latch
member, and thereby the tray relative to the guide rail system.
25. The storage system of claim 24, wherein the tray side walls
include a tray sliding member, and the latch retention member
includes a sliding member slot having an open end, the slot
configured to retain the tray sliding member.
26. The storage system of claim 23, wherein the tray includes a
plurality of elongate indentations configured to retain a portion
of the objects, the elongate indentations disposed at an angle with
respect to a front wall of the tray.
27. The storage system of claim 23, further comprising a plurality
of trays configured to be securely retained in a stacked position
outside of the frame, each tray side wall having one or both of a
stacking recess and a stacking protrusion.
28. A storage system for storing objects, the storage system
comprising: a frame having frame sides, the frame sides having a
depth; a guide rail system supported by the frame; a first tray
supported by the guide rail system for movement between a stowed
position within the frame and an operative position outside the
frame, the first tray being removable from the guide rail system
when the tray is in the operative position, the first tray having a
length that is less than the depth of the frame; a second tray
supported by the guide rail system for movement between a stowed
position within the frame and an operative position outside the
frame, the second tray being removable from the guide rail system
when the second tray is in the operative position, the second tray
having a length that is less than the depth of the frame; and a
mounting mechanism operable for securing one of the first tray and
the second tray to the guide rail system, the mounting mechanism
being selectively releasable for allowing manual removal of one of
the first tray and the second tray from the guide rail system.
29. The storage system of claim 28, wherein the mounting mechanism
includes a first latch member moveably disposed on a side wall of
the first tray; a second latch member moveably disposed on a side
wall of the second tray; and a latch retention member disposed on
the guide rail system; the first and second latch members
configured to releaseably engage the latch retention member.
30. A storage system for storing objects, the storage system
comprising: a frame having frame sides, the frame sides having a
depth; a guide rail system supported on the frame between the frame
sides, the guide rail system including a pair of slide members that
are selectively extendable beyond the frame sides; a first tray
moveable within the guide rail system, the first tray being
selectively removable from the slide members, the first tray
including first tray side walls having a length that is less than
the depth of the frame sides; a second tray moveable within the
guide rail system, the second tray being selectively removable from
the slide members, the second tray including second tray side walls
having a length that is less than the depth of the frame sides; a
first pair of latch members, each of the first pair of latch
members moveably disposed on one of the first tray side walls; and
a second pair of latch members, each of the second pair of latch
members moveably disposed on one of the second tray side walls;
wherein the first and second pair of latch members are operable for
securing the first tray and the second tray respectively to the
slide members, the first and second pair of latch members being
selectively releasable for allowing manual removal of the first
tray and the second tray from the slide members.
32. The storage system of claim 31, further comprising a pair of
latch retention members having a detent, each of the pair of latch
retention members disposed on one the slide members; wherein the
first and second pair latch members are configured to releaseably
engage the detents.
33. The storage system of claim 31, wherein the first tray includes
a plurality of elongate indentations configured to retain a portion
of the objects, the elongate indentations disposed at an angle with
respect to a first tray front wall.
34. The storage system of claim 31, wherein the top of first tray
side walls include one of a stacking recess and a stacking
protrusion and the bottom of the second tray side walls include the
other of a stacking recess and a stacking protrusion, such that the
second tray may be stacked on top of the first tray outside of the
frame.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present disclosure is directed generally to storage
systems for storing objects, and more particularly, to storage
systems including a guide rail system and a tray that is one or
both of removable from the guide rail system and tiltable with
respect to the guide rail system.
[0002] Known storage and transportation systems are not entirely
satisfactory for the range of applications in which storage systems
are employed. For example, existing storage systems are designed
for a single-purpose, either storage or transportation. In
addition, known storage systems, such as storage containers
including racks for storing, for example, wine bottles, store wine
bottles facing the same direction, which is an inefficient use of
space due to the shape of wine bottles. Moreover, conventional
storage systems, such as wine racks, wine drawers, and wooden wine
boxes are expensive.
[0003] In addition to being expensive, conventional storage systems
do not adequately secure objects, which makes them undesirable for
transporting objects, such as wine bottles. Because of this
limitation, a wine collector cannot easily transport a wine
collection from one cellar to another. Furthermore, known storage
systems make access to individual objects impractical.
SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE
[0004] In one example, a storage system for storing objects is
provided. The storage system may include a frame having sides and a
guide rail system supported on the frame between the frame sides,
the guide rail system including a pair of slide members that are
selectively extendable beyond the frame sides. The storage system
may futher include a tray moveable within the guide rail system and
releaseably supported by the pair of slide members for movement
with the slide members relative to the frame, the tray may be
selectively removable from the slide members and tiltable with
respect to the slide members, and a mounting mechanism operable for
securing the tray to one of the slide members, the mounting
mechanism being selectively releasable for allowing manual removal
of the tray from the slide members.
[0005] In another example, an alternative embodiment of a storage
system for storing objects is provided. The storage system may
include a frame, a guide rail system supported by the frame and a
tray supported by the guide rail system for movement between a
stowed position within the frame and an storage position outside
the frame. The tray may be removable from the guide rail system
when the tray is in the storage position and may be positionable
relative to the guide rail system when the tray is in the storage
position in at least a storage position, a first tilt position
disposed at a first angle relative to the storage position, and a
second tilt position disposed at a second angle relative to the
storage position, second angle B being different than the first
angle. The storage system may futher include a mounting mechanism
configured to selectively retain the tray in at least the storage
position, the first tilt position and the second tilt position. The
mounting mechanism may be manually operable for disengaging the
tray from a respective one of the storage, first tilt, and second
tilt positions and allowing movement of the tray to another of the
storage, first tilt, and second tilt positions.
[0006] In another example, an alternative embodiment of a storage
system for storing objects is provided. The storage system may
include a frame, a guide rail system support by the frame and a
tray supported by the guide rail system for movement between a
stowed position within the frame and an storage position outside
the frame. The tray may be removable from the guide rail system
when the tray is in the storage position and the tray may be
positionable relative to the guide rail system when the tray is in
the storage position in at least a storage position and a first
tilt position disposed at a first angle relative to the storage
position. The storage system may futher include a pair of latch
members, each latch member moveably disposed on one of the guide
rail system and the tray; and a pair of latch retention members
disposed on the other of the guide rail system and the tray, each
latch retention member including a first detent configured to
releaseably retain latch member 42, and thereby the tray in one of
the storage position and the first tilt position relative to the
guide rail system.
[0007] In another example, an alternative embodiment of a storage
system for storing objects is provided. The storage system may
include a frame, a guide rail system supported by the frame and a
tray supported by the guide rail system for movement between a
stowed position within the frame and an storage position outside
the frame. The tray may include a pair of tray side walls, each
side wall having a handle, and the tray may be one of removable
from the guide rail system when the tray is in the storage position
and positionable relative to the guide rail system when the tray is
in the storage position in at least a storage position and a first
tilt position disposed at a first angle relative to the storage
position. The storage system may futher include a pair of latch
members, each latch member moveably disposed on one of the pair
tray side walls adjacent the handle and configured to releaseably
engage the guide rail system.
[0008] In another example, an alternative embodiment of a storage
system for storing objects is provided. The storage system may
include a frame having frame sides, the frame sides having a depth
and a guide rail system supported by the frame. The storage system
may futher include a first tray supported by the guide rail system
for movement between a stowed position within the frame and an
storage position outside the frame, the first tray being removable
from the guide rail system when the tray is in the storage
position, the first tray having a length that is less than the
depth of the frame, and a second tray supported by the guide rail
system for movement between a stowed position within the frame and
an storage position outside the frame, the second tray being
removable from the guide rail system when the second tray is in the
storage position, the second tray having a length that is less than
the depth of the frame. The storage system may futher include a
mounting mechanism operable for securing one of the first tray and
the second tray to the guide rail system, the mounting mechanism
being selectively releasable for allowing manual removal of one of
the first tray and the second tray from the guide rail system.
[0009] In another example, an alternative embodiment of a storage
system for storing objects is provided. The storage system may
include a frame having frame sides, the frame sides having a depth,
and a guide rail system supported on the frame between the frame
sides, the guide rail system including a pair of slide members that
are selectively extendable beyond the frame sides. The storage
system may futher include a first tray moveable within the guide
rail system, the first tray being selectively removable from the
slide members, the first tray including first tray side walls
having a length that is less than the depth of the frame sides, and
a second tray moveable within the guide rail system, the second
tray being selectively removable from the slide members, the second
tray including second tray side walls having a length that is less
than the depth of the frame sides. The storage system may futher
include a first pair of latch members, each of the first pair of
latch members moveably disposed on one of the first tray side
walls, and a second pair of latch members, each of the second pair
of latch members moveably disposed on one of the second tray side
walls. The first and second pair of latch members may be operable
for securing the first tray and the second tray respectively to the
slide members and the first and second pair of latch members may be
selectively releasable for allowing manual removal of the first
tray and the second tray from the slide members.
[0010] Advantages of the present disclosure will be more readily
understood after considering the drawings and the Detailed
Description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a storage system for
storing objects in a frame, showing a guide rail system, a tray in
a storage position and a a latch member in a lock position, in
accordance with the present disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the storage system shown
in FIG. 1, showing the tray in a first tilt position disposed at a
first angle relative to the storage position, in accordance with
the present disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of a tray including a
handle, the tray in the storage position, and a latch member in a
lock position, in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 4A is a partial perspective view of the tray and latch
member shown in FIG. 3, showing the tray in a first tilt position
disposed at a first angle relative to the storage position, and
latch member 42 in the lock position, in accordance with the
present disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 4B is a partial perspective view of the tray and latch
member shown in FIG. 3, showing the tray in a second tilt position
disposed at a second angle relative to the storage position, and
latch member 42 in the lock position, in accordance with the
present disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the tray and latch
member shown in FIG. 3, showing the tray removed from a guide rail
system, in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a partial exploded view of a tray and a latch
member, in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a partial side view of a latch member and a latch
retention member, showing latch member 42 in a lock position, in
accordance with the present disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a partial side view of latch member 42 and latch
retention member shown in FIG. 7, showing latch member 42 in a
release position, in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a partial plan view of a tray including a
plurality of elongate indentations disposed at an angle with
respect to a tray front wall, in accordance with the present
disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-section view of a tray including
a plurality of indentations and an object disposed in one of the
indentations, in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 11 is a partial view of the storage system shown in
FIG. 1, showing a plurality of trays configured to be securely
retained in a stacked position outside of the frame, in accordance
with the present disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of a storage system, showing a guide rail system, a first tray, a
second tray and a first latch member in a lock position, in
accordance with the present disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 13 is a partial view of the storage system shown in
FIG. 12, showing a latch retention member including a detent, in
accordance with the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] Some embodiments of a storage system in accordance with the
present disclosure may be configured for the storage and
transportation of a plurality of objects. Additionally and/or
alternatively, some embodiments of a storage system may be
configured for the storage and/or transportation of a plurality of
objects, wherein it may be desirable to securely display and access
the plurality of objects. The objects may include any object
including, but not limited to, objects having a cylindrical shape,
a tapered neck portion and/or any other configuration known to
those skilled in the art. As a non-limiting example, and as
illustrated in FIGS. 1-13, the storage system may be used for
storage and/or transportation of wine bottles.
[0026] FIGS. 1 and 2 show an exemplary storage system, indicated
generally at 10. The storage system may include a frame 12 having
frame sides 14, a guide rail system 16 and one or more trays 18.
Guide rail system 16 may be supported on or by frame 12 between
frame sides 14. Some embodiments of guide rail system 16 may
include a telescoping drawer slide arrangement having a pair of
first slide members 20 each fixed to frame sides 14, a pair of
second slide members 22 extendable from first slide members 20
and/or a pair of third slide members 24, third slide members 24
extendable from pair of second slide members 22. Pair of third
slide members 24 may be selectively extendable beyond frame sides
14. An elongate recess (not shown) configured to guide movement of
tray 18 horizontally with respect to the ground may extend along
the sides of the first, second and third slide members facing tray
18. Other guide rail system configurations may include any guide
rail system configurations known to those skilled in the art.
[0027] Guide rail system 16 may include a fully extended position,
wherein pair of third slide members 24 extend beyond frame sides 14
(FIGS. 1 and 2). Additionally and/or alternatively, in the fully
extended position, pair of second slide members 22 extend from
first slide members 20 and pair of third slide members 24 extend
from pair of second slide members 22. Tray 18 may be at least
partially or fully disposed beyond frame sides 14 when guide rail
system 16 is in the fully extended position.
[0028] Tray 18 may be supported by guide rail system 16 for
movement between a stowed position within frame 12 and an operative
position outside frame 12. Tray 18 may be positionable relative to
guide rail system 16 when tray 18 is in the operative position in
at least a storage position (FIG. 1). The storage position may
include a bottom 26 of tray 18 disposed horizontally with respect
to the ground and/or in substantially in the same plane as guide
rail system 16. Tray 18 may be moveable within guide rail system
16, such that tray 18 may be pushed in and at least partially
pulled out of frame 12 when in the storage position. Tray 18 may
include a tray sliding member 28, such as a wheel, that may be
configured to slide and/or rotate laterally within the elongate
recess in guide rail system 16.
[0029] Tray 18 may include tray side walls 30, a tray front wall 32
and a rear wall 34, each of which may be attached to tray side
walls 30. One or more of sliding members 28 may be disposed on one
or both of tray side walls 30. Tray side walls 30 may each include
a handle 36.
[0030] Handle 36 may be integrated in tray side walls 30 and may be
configured for grasping, lifting and/or tilting of tray 18. Front
wall 32 may be configured such that a seal is formed between front
wall 32 and frame 12 when guide rail system 16 is in the storage
position. The seal may be substantially air tight. Front wall 32
may further include a recess portion 38 such that front wall 32 may
be grasped to pull tray 18 out of frame 12.
[0031] Turning now to FIGS. 3-8, tray 18 may be releaseably
supported by one of the pair slide members 20, 22, 24 for movement
with slide members 20, 22, 24 relative to frame 12. Tray 18 may be
selectively removable from slide members 20, 22, 24 and/or tiltable
with respect to slide members 20, 22, 24. For example, tray 18 may
be removable from guide rail system 16 when tray 18 is in the
operative position. Additionally and/or alternatively, tray 18 may
be positionable relative to guide rail system 16 when tray 18 is in
the operative position in at least a storage position, as described
above, and a first tilt position disposed at a first angle A (FIG.
4A) relative to the storage position. Tray 18 may further be
positionable relative to guide rail system 16 in a second tilt
position disposed at a second angle B (FIG. 4B) relative to the
storage position. Second angle B may be different than first angle
A. Tray 18 may further be positionable relative to guide rail
system 16 in more than two tilt positions, each tilt position
disposed at a different angle.
[0032] Storage system 10 may include a mounting mechanism 40
operable for securing tray 18 to one of the slide members. Mounting
mechanism 40 may be selectively releasable for allowing manual
removal of tray 18 from guide rail system 16. Mounting mechanism 40
may be configured to selectively retain tray 18 in at least the
storage position. Mounting mechanism 40 may additionally be
configured to selectively retain tray 18 in at least the storage
position, the first tilt position and/or the second tilt position.
Mounting mechanism 40 may be manually operable for disengaging tray
18 from a respective one of the storage, first tilt, and second
tilt positions and allowing movement of tray 18 to another of the
storage, first tilt, and second tilt positions.
[0033] Mounting mechanism 40 may include one or more latch members
42, for example a pair of latch members 42, each latch member 42
moveably disposed on one of guide rail system 16 and tray 18. Latch
members 42 may be configured to releaseably engage guide rail
system 16. Mounting mechanism 40 may further include one or more
latch retention members 44, disposed on the other of guide rail
system 16 and tray 18. For example, latch member 42 may be moveably
disposed on either side of tray 18 adjacent guide rail system 16
and latch retention member 44 may be disposed on guide rail system
16, for example third slide members 24. Additionally, latch member
42 may be moveably disposed on tray 18 adjacent handle 36.
Accordingly, a user may move latch member 42 while securely
grasping handle 36.
[0034] Latch retention member 44 may be configured to releaseably
retain latch member 42, and thereby tray 18 relative to guide rail
system 16. Latch retention member 44 may include a first detent 46
configured to releaseably retain latch member 42, and thereby tray
18 in one of the storage position and the first tilt position
relative to guide rail system 16, for example the storage position.
Additionally and/or alternatively, each latch retention member may
include a second detent 48 and a third detent 50. First, second
and/or third detents 46, 48, 50 may be configured to releaseably
retain latch member 42, and thereby tray 18 in one of the storage
position, the first tilt position and the second tilt position
relative to slide members 20, 22, 24.
[0035] Additionally and/or alternatively, latch retention member 44
may include a series of detents, for example three or more detents.
The series of detents may be in an arc configuration. Accordingly,
tray 18 may be selectively and/or incrementally tilted with respect
to guide rail system 16 such that objects within tray 18 may be
displayed or reviewed.
[0036] Latch retention member 44 may include a latch member slot 52
configured to house at least a portion of latch member 42. Latch
member 42 slot may include an arc portion and an open end. Latch
retention member 44 may additionally include a tray sliding member
slot 54 having an open end. Tray 18 sliding member slot may be
configured to retain tray sliding member 28 and may further include
a curved bottom portion such that tray sliding member 28 may be
rotatable within tray sliding member slot 54.
[0037] As shown in the exploded view in FIG. 6, tray side walls 30
may include a latch member recess 56 and a latch member aperture
58. Latch member 42 may be insertable and at least partially
rotatable and/or moveable within latch member aperture 58. For
example, latch member 42 may be moveable between a lock position
(FIG. 7), in which latch member 42 is releaseably engaged with
latch retention member 44 and a release position (FIG. 8), in which
latch member 42 is disengaged from latch retention member 44.
[0038] Latch member 42 may include a pull member 60 disposed on an
upper portion of latch member 42 adjacent the top of tray side wall
30. Latch member 42 may further include a latch protrusion 62
configured to engage latch retention member 44 in the locked
position. For example, latch protrusion 62 may be insertable in one
of the detents 46, 48, 50 in latch retention member 44. Pull member
60 may be configured to be pulled towards tray front wall 32, to
move latch member 42 from the lock position to the release
position. In other words, pull member 60 may be configured to be
pulled towards tray front wall 32 to remove latch protrusion 62
from latch detent 46, 48, 50. Latch member 42 may also include a
latch spring lever 64 that may engage latch member recess 56 such
that latch member 42 may be biased to the locked position.
[0039] Tray 18 may be removable from guide rail system 16 when
latch member 42 is in the release position. Additionally and/or
alternatively, tray 18 may be positionable with respect to guide
rail system 16 when latch member 42 is in the release position.
Accordingly, latch member 42 and latch retention member 44 may
selectively retain tray 18 in one or more of the storage position,
the first tilt position and the second tilt position. Latch member
42 may be manually operable for disengaging tray 18 from one of the
storage, first tilt, and second tilt positions and allowing
movement of tray 18 to another of the storage, first tilt, and
second tilt positions.
[0040] In some embodiments, tray 18 may be moveable between at
least the storage position (FIGS. 1 and 3), the first tilt position
(FIGS. 2 and 4a), and the second tilt position (FIG. 4b). In the
storage position, latch member 42 may be releaseably engaged with
first detent 46 in latch retention member 44. In the first tilt
position, latch members 42 may be releaseably engaged with second
detent 48 in latch retention member 44. In the second tilt
position, latch members 42 may be releaseably engaged with the
third detent 50 in latch retention member 44. Accordingly, a tilt
angle of tray 18 may be selected and tray 18 may be securely and
releaseably retained at the selected tilt angle.
[0041] In a tilting operation, tray 18 may be in the storage
position and latch member 42 may be in the locked position. Latch
member 42 may be moved from the locked position to the unlocked
position and tray 18 may be tilted to the first tilt position.
Latch member 42 may be released and then be biased to return to the
locked position. This may be repeated to select an alternative tilt
position, such as the second tilt position.
[0042] In a removal operation, latch member 42 may be moved from
the locked position to the release position, wherein latch member
42 may be disengaged from latch retention member 44. Latch member
42 may be pulled out of latch member slot 52. Tray sliding member
28 may further be removed from tray sliding member slot 54 through
the open end, as shown by directional arrow in FIG. 5.
[0043] Turning now to FIGS. 9 and 10, tray 18 may be configured to
hold approximately one dozen objects, such as wine bottles. Some
embodiments of tray 18 may be approximately 22 inches wide, about
26 inches long, and about 4 and one-eighth inches in depth.
However, multiple configurations of tray 18 are possible. For
example, tray 18 may be configured to hold as little as two objects
and there is no restriction on the number of objects as an upper
limit.
[0044] Some embodiments of the storage system may be configured to
securely retain the objects within tray 18. For example, tray 18
may include a plurality of indentations configured to retain a
portion of the objects. Bottom 26 of tray 18 may include a
plurality of elongate indentations 66 configured to retain an
elongate cylindrical portion of the objects. Some embodiments of
elongate indentations 66 may include one or more apertures 68.
Alternatively, elongate indentations 66 may include an extended
aperture 70 (FIG. 12).
[0045] Elongate indentations 66 may further include a tapered end
72 such that objects having a tapered end may be stored. Tray side
walls 30 may include circular detents 74 configured to retain a
circular end portion of the objects. Accordingly, the objects may
not be easily displaced during movement, including sliding
movement, removal and/or tilting of tray 18.
[0046] Some embodiments of the storage system may be configured to
securely store and transport objects within tray 18, such that tray
18 may be weight balanced and space efficient. For example, as
shown in FIG. 9, elongate indentations 66 may be disposed at an
angle C with respect to front wall 32, such that an equal number of
objects may be stored on either side of tray 18. Elongate
indentations 66 may further include tapered ends 72 directly
adjacent the neighboring and opposite indentation 66, such that
objects having a tapered end may be stored in a nesting manner.
[0047] Turning now to FIG. 11, some embodiments of storage system
10 may include a plurality of trays 18. Trays 18 may be configured
to be securely retained in a stacked position outside of frame 12.
For example, tray side wall 30 may include one or both of a
stacking recess 76 and a stacking protrusion 78. For example, tray
side walls 30 may include two stacking protrusions 78 on the top of
tray side wall 30 and two stacking recesses 76 on the bottom of
tray side wall 30. Trays 18 may be stacked in an alternating
configuration, such that the direction tray front wall 32
alternates. The stacked position may also be referred to as the
tray nesting position.
[0048] Turning now to FIGS. 12 and 13, an alternative embodiment of
a storage system 100 is provided, also referred to as a dual tray
system or a multiple tray system. Some parts of the dual tray
storage system 100 may be configured in substantially the same
manner as storage system 10 described above with reference to FIGS.
1-11.
[0049] Storage system 100 may include a frame 112 having frame
sides 114, frame sides 114 having a depth, and a guide rail system
116 supported by frame 112. Storage system 100 may further include
a first tray 118 and a second tray 120, moveable within guide rail
system 116 and may be selectively removable from guide rail system
116.
[0050] Guide rail system 116 may include a telescoping drawer slide
arrangement having a pair of first slide members 122 each supported
on frame 112 between frame sides 114, a pair of second slide
members 124 extendable from first slide members 122 and/or a pair
of third slide members 126 extendable from pair of second slide
members 124. Pair of third slide members 126 may be extendable
beyond frame sides 114. An elongate recess may extend along the
sides of the first, second and third slide members facing trays
118, 1120.
[0051] First and second trays 118, 120 may be supported by guide
rail system 116 for movement between a stowed position within frame
112 and an operative position outside the frame 112. First and
second trays 118, 120 may be removable from guide rail system 116
when in the operative position. First tray 118 may include first
tray side walls 128 having a length L1 that is less than the depth
of frame sides 114. Second tray 120 may include second tray side
walls 130 having a length L2 that is less than the depth of frame
sides 114. Accordingly, first and second trays 118, 120 may be
configured to fit within guide rail system 116 and frame 112 such
that both may be stowed within frame 112 together, while being
supported by a single guide rail system 116.
[0052] First and second trays 118, 120 may include a storage
position in which a bottom 132 of first and second trays 118, 120
is substantially in line with guide rail system 116. In the storage
position, first and second trays 118, 120 may be moveable within
guide rail system 116 such that first and second trays 118, 120 may
be pushed in and at least partially pulled out of frame 112. For
example, first tray 118 may include one or more first sliding
members 134 disposed on side wall 128 and second tray 120 may
include one or more second sliding members 136 disposed on side
wall 130. First and second sliding members 134, 136 may be
configured to slide within the elongate recess in guide rail system
116.
[0053] Guide rail system 116 may include a fully extended position,
wherein pair of second slide members 124 may be extended from first
slide members 122 and/or pair of third slide members 126 may be
extended from pair of second slide members 124. First and/or the
second tray 118, 120 may be substantially outside of frame 112 when
guide rail system 116 is in the fully extended position. Guide rail
system 116 may further include a retracted position, in which guide
rail system 116 may be substantially within frame 112. First and
second trays 118, 120 may be in the stowed position when guide rail
system 116 is in the retracted position.
[0054] First and second trays 118, 120 may each include a front
wall 138 and a rear wall 140, each of which may be attached to the
first and second tray side walls 128, 130, respectively. Front wall
138 of the first tray 118 may be configured such that a seal is
formed between front wall 138 and frame 112 when guide rail system
116 and tray 118 are in the storage position. The seal may be
substantially air tight. Front wall 138 may further include a
recess portion 142 such that the front wall may be grasped to pull
first and second trays 118, 120 out of the frame. Tray side walls
128, 130 may each include a handle 144. Handle 144 may be
integrated in tray side walls 128, 130 and may be configured for
grasping and/or lifting of first and second trays 118, 120.
[0055] First and second trays 118, 120 may each be releaseably
engaged with pair of third slide members 126 in a successive
manner. Additionally and/or alternatively, first and second trays
118, 120 may be removable from third slide members 126 in a
successive manner. In some embodiments, storage system 100 may
include a mounting mechanism 146 operable for securing one of the
first tray and the second tray to guide rail system 16. Mounting
mechanism 146 may be selectively releasable for allowing manual
removal of one of first tray 118 and second tray 120 from guide
rail system 116. Additionally and/or alternatively, mounting
mechanism 146 may selectively retain first and second trays 118,
120 in the storage position.
[0056] Mounting mechanism 146 may include one or more of a first
latch member 148 moveably disposed on one or both side walls 128 of
first tray 118 and one or more of a second latch member 150
moveably disposed on one or both side walls 130 of second tray 120.
Additionally, first and second latch members 148, 150 may be
moveably disposed on tray side walls 128, 130 adjacent handle
144.
[0057] Mounting mechanism 146 may further include one or more latch
retention members 152 disposed on guide rail system 116, for
example third slide members 126. First and second latch members
148, 150 may be configured to releaseably engage latch retention
member 152 in a successive manner, as explained in further detail
below.
[0058] First and second latch members 148, 150 may be operable for
securing first tray 118 and second tray 120, respectively, to third
slide members 126. First and second latch members 148, 150 may be
selectively releasable for allowing manual removal of first tray
118 and second tray 120 from third slide members 126. First and
second latch members 148, 150 may be configured in a substantially
similar manner as described above with respect to FIGS. 1-6.
[0059] First and second latch members 148, 150 may include a
release position, in which first and second latch members 148, 150
may be pulled towards front wall 138, such that first and second
latch members 148, 150 disengage latch retention member 152. First
and second trays 118, 120 may be removable from guide rail system
16 when the respective first and second latch members are in the
release position.
[0060] First and second latch members 148, 150 may further include
a locked position, in which latch member 42 is engaged with latch
retention member 152. Latch retention member 152 may include at
least one detent 154 configured to releaseably retain first and
second latch members 148, 150 in the locked position. For example,
latch retention member 152 may include detent 154 configured to
releaseably retain one of first and second latch member 148, 150
such that one of first or second trays 118, 120 may be releaseably
retained in the storage position.
[0061] In operation, first and second trays 118, 120 may be
successively removable from guide rail system 116. Additionally
and/or alternatively, first and second trays 118, 120 may be
successively released from engagement with latch retention member
152. For example, FIG. 12 shows first and second trays 118, 120 in
the storage position, first tray 118 releaseably engaged with latch
retention member 152 and first latch member 148 in the locked
position. First latch member 148 may be moved from the locked
position to the release position and first tray 118 may be removed
from guide rail system 116.
[0062] Second tray 120 may be pulled towards third slide member 126
such that second tray 120 releaseably engages latch retention
member 152 and/or second latch member 150 moves into the locked
position with latch retention member 152. Second latch member 150
may be moved from the locked position to the release position and
second tray 120 may be removed from guide rail system 116.
[0063] First and second trays 118, 120 may be stackable, as
described above with reference to FIG. 11. For example, the top of
first tray side walls 128 may include one of a stacking recess and
a stacking protrusion and the bottom of the second tray side walls
130 include the other of a stacking recess and a stacking
protrusion, such that second tray 120 may be stacked on top of
first tray 118 outside of frame 112. Additionally and/or
alternatively, some embodiments of storage system 100 may be
configured to securely retain the objects within tray 118, 120, as
described above with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.
[0064] Regarding an embodiment of a storage system configured for
storage of wine bottles, having multiple wine drawers, or trays,
nest together and ready for transport is especially beneficial to a
wine collector who must move a wine collection from one wine cellar
to another. Additionally, being able to easily view the contents of
tray via tilting allows wine collectors to easily organize their
collection after transporting the collection to a new cellar. This
benefit, however, is not limited to wine collectors. The ability to
move several dozen wine bottles at once also has commercial
applications.
[0065] For example, a distributor or vendor may transport several
stacks of wine trays to a store that sells wine. The distributor or
vendor may then simply load the individual wine trays into a wine
storage system or frame at the store. The storage system may
include a refrigeration system. Additionally or alternatively, the
distributor or vendor may leave the stacks of wine trays for
someone in charge of stocking to later load into the wine storage
systems. The storage systems may be located inside or outside of a
cooler and may be specific to a type of wine, such as pinot grigio,
chardonnay, merlot, or pinot noir.
[0066] Once the wine storage systems are stocked, consumers may
then view the wine trays and make their selection by removing a
bottle from the wine tray. Additionally or alternatively, consumers
may view a picture or other graphic on the outside of the wine tray
that represents the contents, and then make their selection based
on the picture or graphic. For example, the picture or graphic
could be a white wine bottle displaying the label. The wine tray
may further include comments or descriptions of the contents along
with preferred food pairings for added value to the consumers.
[0067] The various components of a storage may be fabricated from
any suitable material, such as plastic, foamed plastic, flexible
plastic, clear plastic, one or more layers of fabric, wood,
cardboard, pressed paper, metal, glass or any combination of
materials. For example, a front wall of a tray may include glass or
other clear material such that contents/objects in the tray may be
viewed. A suitable material or combination of materials may be
selected to provide a desirable synergy of weight, strength,
durability, cost, and/or manufacturability.
[0068] While embodiments of a storage system and methods of storage
have been particularly shown and described, many variations may be
made therein. This disclosure may include one or more independent
or interdependent embodiments directed to various combinations of
features, functions, elements and/or properties. Other combinations
and sub-combinations of features, functions, elements and/or
properties may be claimed later in a related application. Such
variations, whether they are directed to different combinations or
directed to the same combinations, whether different, broader,
narrower or equal in scope, are also regarded as included within
the subject matter of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the
foregoing embodiments are illustrative, and no single feature or
element, or combination thereof, is essential to all possible
combinations that may be claimed in this or a later
application.
[0069] It is believed that the disclosure set forth herein
encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility.
While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred
form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated
herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous
variations are possible. Each example defines an embodiment
disclosed in the foregoing disclosure, but any one example does not
necessarily encompass all features or combinations that may be
eventually claimed. Where the description recites "a" or "a first"
element or the equivalent thereof, such description includes one or
more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more
such elements. Further, ordinal indicators, such as first, second
or third, for identified elements are used to distinguish between
the elements, and do not indicate a required or limited number of
such elements, and do not indicate a particular position or order
of such elements unless otherwise specifically stated.
* * * * *