U.S. patent application number 16/439749 was filed with the patent office on 2019-12-19 for multi-purpose adjustable wall storage system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Spire LLC. Invention is credited to Joshua Gordon.
Application Number | 20190380489 16/439749 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 68838838 |
Filed Date | 2019-12-19 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190380489 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gordon; Joshua |
December 19, 2019 |
Multi-purpose Adjustable Wall Storage System
Abstract
A rack system for supporting items on a surface includes: mounts
having an L-shaped body, mounting bores formed through the L-shaped
body, and a support aperture formed through the L-shaped body; an
elongate beam including a plurality of pairs of opposing spaced
apart apertures formed therethrough; one or more attachments shaped
to fit around the elongate beam, the one or more attachments
including a clip portion including a pair of opposing apertures
formed therethrough, an attachment arm formed on the clip portion,
and a pin shaped to extend through the pair of opposing apertures
of the clip portion and the at least one pair of the opposing
spaced apart apertures of the beam when the opposing apertures of
the clip portion are aligned with the at least one pair of opposing
spaced apart apertures of the beam.
Inventors: |
Gordon; Joshua; (Troy,
VA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Spire LLC |
Troy |
VA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
68838838 |
Appl. No.: |
16/439749 |
Filed: |
June 13, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62684380 |
Jun 13, 2018 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 96/1441 20130101;
A47B 96/067 20130101; A47B 96/1408 20130101; A47B 96/061 20130101;
A47B 96/027 20130101; A47B 96/06 20130101; A47B 81/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47B 81/00 20060101
A47B081/00; A47B 96/02 20060101 A47B096/02; A47B 96/06 20060101
A47B096/06 |
Claims
1. A rack system for supporting one or more items on a surface, the
rack system comprising: an elongate beam mounted on the surface,
the elongate beam extending from a first end to a second end that
is distal from the first end, the elongate beam including a
plurality of pairs of opposing spaced apart apertures formed
therethrough; one or more attachments shaped to fit at least
partially around the elongate beam, the one or more attachments
including a clip portion including a pair of opposing apertures
formed therethrough and shaped to align with at least one pair of
the opposing spaced apart apertures formed through the elongate
beam, an attachment arm formed on the clip portion and extending
outwardly therefrom, and a fastener shaped to extend through the
pair of opposing apertures of the clip portion and the at least one
pair of the opposing spaced apart apertures of the beam when the
opposing apertures of the clip portion are aligned with the at
least one pair of opposing spaced apart apertures of the beam;
wherein the attachments are adjustably mountable on the elongate
beam by aligning the opposing apertures of the clip portion with
one pair of the plurality of pairs of opposing spaced apart
apertures formed through the elongate beam.
2. The rack system of claim 1, further comprising two or more
mounts, each of the two or more mounts having: an L-shaped body;
one or more mounting bores formed through the L-shaped body; and a
support aperture formed through the L-shaped body on a portion that
is perpendicular to the one or more mounting bores; wherein the
elongate beam is shaped to slidably engage the support apertures of
the two or more mounts such that the elongate beam is supported on
the surface.
3. The rack system of claim 1, the fastener comprising a removable
pin.
4. The rack system of claim 1, wherein a plurality of the one or
more attachments are mounted on the beam, and wherein at least one
of the plurality of attachments is adjacent a first of the two or
more mounts and at least one of the plurality of attachments is
adjacent a second of the two or more mounts to prevent lateral
movement of the elongate beam in relation to the two or more
mounts.
5. The rack system of claim 2, further comprising: a foldable
member pivotally attached on an upper end of each of the two or
more mounts; and a shelf secured to the foldable member of each of
the two or more mounts; wherein the shelf is movable between a
folded position and an unfolded position relative to the surface on
which the rack system is mounted.
6. The rack system of claim 5, the foldable member further
comprising an elongate aperture formed therethrough for receiving a
fastener to secure the shelf in the unfolded position.
7. A rack system for supporting one or more items on a surface, the
rack system comprising: two or more mounts having an L-shaped body,
one or more mounting bores formed through the L-shaped body, and a
support aperture formed through the L-shaped body on a portion that
is perpendicular to the one or more mounting bores; an elongate
beam extending from a first end to a second end that is distal from
the first end, the elongate beam including a plurality of pairs of
opposing spaced apart apertures formed therethrough; one or more
attachments shaped to fit at least partially around the elongate
beam, the one or more attachments including a clip portion
including a pair of opposing apertures formed therethrough and
shaped to align with at least one pair of the opposing spaced apart
apertures formed through the elongate beam, an attachment arm
formed on the clip portion and extending outwardly therefrom, and a
pin shaped to extend through the pair of opposing apertures of the
clip portion and the at least one pair of the opposing spaced apart
apertures of the beam when the opposing apertures of the clip
portion are aligned with the at least one pair of opposing spaced
apart apertures of the beam; wherein the elongate beam is shaped to
slidably engage the support apertures of the two or more mounts
such that the elongate beam is supported on the surface; and
wherein the attachments are adjustably mountable on the elongate
beam by aligning the opposing apertures of the clip portion with
one pair of the plurality of pairs of opposing spaced apart
apertures formed through the elongate beam.
8. The rack system of claim 7, wherein the beam has a rectangular
cross-sectional area, and further wherein mounting bores of the two
or more mounts have rectangular cross-sectional areas corresponding
to an outer shape of the elongate beam.
9. The rack system of claim 7, wherein a plurality of the one or
more attachments are mounted on the beam, and wherein at least one
of the plurality of attachments is adjacent a first of the two or
more mounts and at least one of the plurality of attachments is
adjacent a second of the two or more mounts to prevent lateral
movement of the elongate beam in relation to the two or more
mounts.
10. The rack system of claim 7, wherein a plurality of attachments
are secured on the elongate beam, the plurality of attachments
selected from the group consisting of a ski mount and a bicycle
hook.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to and is a non provisional
of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/684,380 for a
"Multi-purpose, adjustable wall storage system" filed on Jun. 13,
2018, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in
its entirety.
FIELD
[0002] This disclosure relates to the field of storage systems.
More particularly, this disclosure relates to a storage system for
adjustably supporting various types of items in a particular area,
such as a garage.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Various types racks exist for supporting tools and sports
equipment. However, most existing supports are unstable and
ill-suited for holding multiple types of tools or pieces of sports
equipment. Further, while some existing racks may provide
adjustability, those racks are relatively unstable, and portions of
the rack may become disconnected from the rack during placement or
removal of items on the rack. Other types of racks are not
adjustable and once installed may only be used to support a
particular type of tool or sporting equipment.
[0004] What is needed, therefore, is a storage system that provides
for adjustable placement of various items while also providing
sturdy support for those items to hold them above a floor space of
a particular area.
SUMMARY
[0005] The above and other needs are met by a storage system that
provides for adjustable placement of items above a floor of a
storage area. In a first aspect, a storage system includes: an
elongate beam mounted on the surface, the elongate beam extending
from a first end to a second end that is distal from the first end,
the elongate beam including a plurality of pairs of opposing spaced
apart apertures formed therethrough; one or more attachments shaped
to fit at least partially around the elongate beam, the one or more
attachments including a clip portion including a pair of opposing
apertures formed therethrough and shaped to align with at least one
pair of the opposing spaced apart apertures formed through the
elongate beam, an attachment arm formed on the clip portion and
extending outwardly therefrom, and a fastener shaped to extend
through the pair of opposing apertures of the clip portion and the
at least one pair of the opposing spaced apart apertures of the
beam when the opposing apertures of the clip portion are aligned
with the at least one pair of opposing spaced apart apertures of
the beam. The attachments are adjustably mountable on the elongate
beam by aligning the opposing apertures of the clip portion with
one pair of the plurality of pairs of opposing spaced apart
apertures formed through the elongate beam.
[0006] In another embodiment, the storage system further includes
two or more mounts, each of the two or more mounts having: an
L-shaped body; one or more mounting bores formed through the
L-shaped body; and a support aperture formed through the L-shaped
body on a portion that is perpendicular to the one or more mounting
bores. The elongate beam is shaped to slidably engage the support
apertures of the two or more mounts such that the elongate beam is
supported on the surface. In another embodiment, the fastener is a
removable pin.
[0007] In yet another embodiment, a plurality of the one or more
attachments are mounted on the beam, and at least one of the
plurality of attachments is adjacent a first of the two or more
mounts and at least one of the plurality of attachments is adjacent
a second of the two or more mounts to prevent lateral movement of
the elongate beam in relation to the two or more mounts.
[0008] In one embodiment, the storage system further includes: a
foldable member pivotally attached on an upper end of each of the
two or more mounts; and a shelf secured to the foldable member of
each of the two or more mounts. The shelf is movable between a
folded position and an unfolded position relative to the surface on
which the rack system is mounted.
[0009] In another embodiment, the foldable member further includes
an elongate aperture formed therethrough for receiving a fastener
to secure the shelf in the unfolded position.
[0010] In a second aspect, a rack system for supporting one or more
items on a surface includes: two or more mounts having an L-shaped
body, one or more mounting bores formed through the L-shaped body,
and a support aperture formed through the L-shaped body on a
portion that is perpendicular to the one or more mounting bores; an
elongate beam extending from a first end to a second end that is
distal from the first end, the elongate beam including a plurality
of pairs of opposing spaced apart apertures formed therethrough;
one or more attachments shaped to fit at least partially around the
elongate beam, the one or more attachments including a clip portion
including a pair of opposing apertures formed therethrough and
shaped to align with at least one pair of the opposing spaced apart
apertures formed through the elongate beam, an attachment arm
formed on the clip portion and extending outwardly therefrom, and a
pin shaped to extend through the pair of opposing apertures of the
clip portion and the at least one pair of the opposing spaced apart
apertures of the beam when the opposing apertures of the clip
portion are aligned with the at least one pair of opposing spaced
apart apertures of the beam. The elongate beam is shaped to
slidably engage the support apertures of the two or more mounts
such that the elongate beam is supported on the surface. The
attachments are adjustably mountable on the elongate beam by
aligning the opposing apertures of the clip portion with one pair
of the plurality of pairs of opposing spaced apart apertures formed
through the elongate beam.
[0011] In one embodiment, the beam has a rectangular
cross-sectional area, and further wherein mounting bores of the two
or more mounts have rectangular cross-sectional areas corresponding
to an outer shape of the elongate beam.
[0012] In another embodiment, a plurality of the one or more
attachments are mounted on the beam, and wherein at least one of
the plurality of attachments is adjacent a first of the two or more
mounts and at least one of the plurality of attachments is adjacent
a second of the two or more mounts to prevent lateral movement of
the elongate beam in relation to the two or more mounts.
[0013] In yet another embodiment, a plurality of attachments are
secured on the elongate beam, the plurality of attachments selected
from the group consisting of a ski mount, bicycle mount, and tool
mount.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] Further features, aspects, and advantages of the present
disclosure will become better understood by reference to the
following detailed description, appended claims, and accompanying
figures, wherein elements are not to scale so as to more clearly
show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like
elements throughout the several views, and wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a rack system according
to one embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 1B shows a top view of a rack system according to one
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0017] FIG. 1C shows a front view of a rack system according to one
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of an elongate beam of a
rack system according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0019] FIG. 2B shows a top view of an elongate beam and a plurality
of apertures formed therethrough according to one embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 2C shows side view of an elongate beam according to one
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0021] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a mount of a rack system
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0022] FIG. 4 shows a front view of a mount of a rack system
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0023] FIGS. 5A and 5B show a side views of a mount of a rack
system according to embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 6A shows a perspective view of an attachment for a rack
system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0025] FIG. 6B shows a top view of an attachment for a rack system
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 6C shows a side view of an attachment for a rack system
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0027] FIG. 7 shows a close up view of a fastener, such as a pin,
securing an attachment on an elongate beam of a rack system
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0028] FIG. 8 shows a rack system including attachments assembled
on a surface according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0029] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a vertical rack system
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0030] FIG. 10 shows a close up view of a vertical beam, wall
bracket, and horizontal member of a vertical rack system according
to one embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0031] FIG. 11 shows a wall bracket of a vertical rack system
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0032] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a horizontal member of a
vertical rack system according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0033] FIG. 13A shows a first side view of a horizontal member of a
vertical rack system according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0034] FIG. 13B shows a top view of a horizontal member of a
vertical rack system according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0035] FIG. 13C shows a second side view of a horizontal member of
a vertical rack system according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0036] FIG. 13D shows a bottom view of a horizontal member of a
vertical rack system according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0037] FIGS. 14A and 14B show a shelf mounted on a rack system
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0038] FIG. 15 shows a collapsible bracket of a rack system
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0039] FIG. 16 shows a foldable member of a collapsible bracket
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0040] Various terms used herein are intended to have particular
meanings. Some of these terms are defined below for the purpose of
clarity. The definitions given below are meant to cover all forms
of the words being defined (e.g., singular, plural, present tense,
past tense). If the definition of any term below diverges from the
commonly understood and/or dictionary definition of such term, the
definitions below control.
[0041] FIGS. 1A-1C show a basic embodiment of a rack system 10 for
supporting various items on a surface, such as a ceiling or wall.
The rack system 10 is configured to support various types of
equipment with various supporting attachments adjustably mounted on
the rack system 10. The rack system 10 of the present disclosure is
advantageously configured to support various types of items such as
tool, sporting equipment, and other various items on the surface
and off of a floor of an area of interest. Embodiments herein are
particularly suitable for mounting in an area such as a garage to
hold items in the garage off of the floor.
[0042] The rack system 10 includes an elongate beam 12 extending
from a first end 14 to a second end 16 that is distal from the
first end 14. The elongate beam 12 preferably has a rectangular
cross-sectional area and is hollow along a length of the elongate
beam 12. The elongate beam 12 is preferably formed of a metal, such
as steel or aluminum. While the elongate beam 12 preferably has a
rectangular cross sectional area, it is understood that a cross
sectional area of the elongate beam 12 may be various other
suitable shapes for supporting items thereon as described in
greater detail below. For example, the elongate beam 12 may be
formed having an open channel formed along a length of the elongate
beam 12, such that the elongate beam 12 is forms a C-channel.
[0043] The elongate beam 12 preferably has a length of from about
30'' to about 80'', and more preferably has a length of from about
40'' to about 50''. The elongate beam 12 preferably has a height of
from about 1'' to about 2'', and more preferably has a height of
approximately 1.25''. The elongate beam 12 has a width of from
about 1'' to about 2'', and more preferably has a width of
approximately 1.25''. While the above dimensions are provided with
respect to preferable embodiments of the elongate beam 12, it is
also understood that dimensions of the elongate beam 12 may be
varied. Further, the elongate beam 12 may be provided in multiple
sections that are joined together, such as with fasteners.
[0044] The elongate beam 12 includes a plurality of apertures 18
formed through opposing sides of the elongate beam 12, as shown in
FIG. 2. The plurality of apertures 18 preferably have a diameter of
approximately 0.5'' and are aligned on opposing sides of the
elongate beam 12. The plurality of apertures 18 are preferably
uniformly spaced apart along a length of the elongate beam 12 for
engaging one or more attachments as described below. The plurality
of apertures 18 are preferably spaced apart at a distance of from
approximately 0.5'' to approximately 1.5'' and are more preferably
spaced apart at a distance of 1'' between apertures 18. The
plurality of aperture 18 are preferably located on upper and lower
surfaces of the elongate beam 12 when the elongate beam 12 is
installed on a mounting surface as described below. While the above
spacing and dimensions of the plurality of apertures 18 are
preferable, it is also understood that embodiments of the rack
system 10 may include apertures having varying spacing and
sizes.
[0045] Referring again to FIG. 1A, the rack system 10 includes two
or more mounts 20A and 20B for securing the rack system 10 to a
surface, such as a wall or ceiling. As shown in FIG. 3, the two or
more mounts 20A and 20B are preferably located proximate to the
first end 14 and the second end 16 of the elongate beam 12. The two
or more mounts 20A and 20B are preferably spaced apart such that
the two or more mounts 20A and 20B support a weight of the elongate
beam 12 and any attachments thereto.
[0046] Each of the two or more mounts 20A and 20B includes an
L-shaped body 22 (FIG. 3). The L-shaped body 22 includes one or
more mounting bores 24 formed therethrough for receiving one or
more fasteners through the L-shaped body 22 to secure the L-shaped
body 22 to a surface. The L-shaped body 22 further includes a
support aperture 26 (FIG. 5A) formed on a portion of the L-shaped
body 22 that is perpendicular to the portion through which the one
or more mounting bores 24 are formed. The support aperture 26 is
preferably sized such that an inner shape of the support aperture
26 fits closely around an outer shape of the elongate beam 12. The
support aperture 26 is preferably sized such that the elongate beam
12 may freely slide through an inner portion of the support
aperture 26 while preventing the elongate beam 12 from rotating or
otherwise moving in a direction other than laterally through the
support aperture 26.
[0047] As shown in FIGS. 3-5, the support aperture 26 is preferably
rectangular in shape such that the support aperture 26 corresponds
to a shape of a rectangular elongate beam 12 slidably engaged with
the support aperture 26. The two or more mounts 20A are preferably
located towards the first end 14 and the second end 16 of the
elongate beam 12 when the rack system 10 is installed on a surface.
The two or more mounts 20A and 20B are preferably located such that
a portion of the elongate beam 12 extends outboard of both of the
two or more mounts 20A and 20B as shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C.
Further, the outboard portions of the elongate beam 12 preferably
include at least one of the plurality of apertures 18 extending
outboard of the two or more mounts 20A and 20B.
[0048] In a horizontal arrangement of the elongate support beam 12
of the rack system 10, the support aperture 26 may be formed within
the two or more mounts 20A and 20B such that at least one side of
the rectangular support aperture 26 is parallel to a surface on
which the two or mounts 20A and 20B are secured. Alternatively, and
as shown in FIG. 5B, the support aperture 26 may be formed through
the two or more mounts 20A and 20B at an angle .theta. relative to
a surface on which the two or more mounts 20A and 20B are secured
to facilitate supporting an item on the rack system 10 as discussed
below. The support aperture 26 is preferably shaped such that the
elongate beam 12 is supported at a distance of from about 0.1'' to
about 0.5'' from a surface on which the two or more mounts 20A and
20B are mounted, and more preferably at a distance of approximately
0.25''.
[0049] Referring again to FIG. 1A, the rack system 10 further
includes one or more attachments 28 adjustably mounted on the rack
system 10 for supporting one or more items on the rack system 10.
Each of the one or more attachments 28 is preferably removably
mounted on the elongate beam 12 of the rack system 10 and is
configured such that a location of the one or more attachments 28
is adjustable on the elongate beam 12.
[0050] FIG. 6A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an attachment
28 that is mountable on the elongate beam 12 of the rack system 10.
The attachment 28 includes a clip portion 30 shaped to fit at least
partially around the elongate beam 12. The clip portion 30 is
preferably shaped such that the clip portion 30 closely fits around
three sides of the rectangular beam 12 while allowing the clip
portion 30 to be removed from or slidably adjusted along the
elongate beam 12. The clip portion 30 includes a pair of opposing
apertures 32 formed therethrough, the opposing apertures 32 aligned
with one another through opposite sides of the clip portion 30. The
pair of opposing apertures 32 are alignable with the plurality of
apertures formed through opposing sides of the elongate beam 12 to
secure the attachment 28 to the elongate beam 12 as discussed in
greater detail below. The pair of opposing apertures preferably
have a diameter of approximately 0.5'' and are shaped to receive a
pin 34 therethrough, as shown in FIG. 7.
[0051] The attachment of FIGS. 6A-6C includes a pair of parallel
arms 36 for supporting items such as tools, skis, and other
sporting goods or items. In the embodiment of FIGS. 6A-6C, the pair
of parallel arms 36 extends substantially perpendicular to the clip
portion 30 and includes upwardly curved end portions 38. Referring
to FIG. 6C, in one embodiment the pair of parallel arms 36 is
angled upwards relative to horizontal along a length of the pair of
parallel arms 36 extending from the clip portion 30. The pair of
parallel arms 36 are preferably angled upward at an angle of from
about 1.degree. to about 5.degree., and more preferably at an angle
of approximately 3.degree..
[0052] To install the rack system 10 of FIGS. 1-7 on a surface, the
two or more mounts 20A and 20B are first secured to the surface by
inserting one or more fasteners through the mounting bores 24 and
into the surface, such as studs on a wall or ceiling surface. The
two or more mounts 20A and 20B are preferably installed at a width
that is less than a length of the elongate beam 12 and more
preferably at a distance that allows for some of the plurality of
apertures 18 to be located outboard of each of the mounts 20A and
20B.
[0053] After securing the two or more mounts 20A and 20B to a
surface, the elongate beam 12 is next slidably positioned within
the support aperture 26 of each of the two or more mounts 20A and
20B. After slidably positioning the elongate beam 12 on the two or
more mounts 20A and 20B, a plurality of the attachments 28 are
secured on the elongate beam 12 such that items may be hung from or
supported on the attachments 28.
[0054] In a preferable embodiment and as shown in FIG. 8, at least
two of the attachments 28 are located outboard of the two or more
mounts 20A and 20B and secured in place by inserting the pin 34
through the opposing apertures 32 of the attachment 28 and through
a pair of the plurality of apertures 18 of the elongate beam. While
reference is made to use of a pin to secure the attachments 28 to
the elongate beam 12, it is also understood that various other
fasteners may be engaged with the elongate beam 12 to secure a
position of the attachments 28 on the elongate beam.
[0055] When one of the attachments 28 is located outboard of each
of the two or more mounts 20A and 20B, lateral movement of the beam
12 is prevented by the attachments 28 to prevent the elongate beam
from disengaging the two or more mounts 20A and 20B. While the
above preferable embodiment contemplates attachments 28 mounted
outboard of the two or more mounts 20A and 20B, it is also
understood that the attachments 28 may otherwise be positioned
adjacent to the two or more mounts 20A and 20B to prevent
substantial sliding movement of the elongate beam 12 relative to
the two or more mounts 20A and 20B.
[0056] Referring now to FIG. 9, in another embodiment the elongate
beam 12 may be oriented vertically with respect to a mounting
surface to form a vertical rack 100. As shown in FIG. 9, a pair of
the elongate beams 12 is preferably mounted vertically along a
surface for supporting one or more items on the vertical rack 100.
The vertical rack 100 includes a plurality of elongate horizontal
members 102 extending substantially perpendicular from the elongate
beams 12 to support items on the horizontal members 102. The
vertical rack 100 is preferably supported on a surface with a
plurality of wall brackets 104 releasably engaged with the elongate
beams 12 as discussed in greater detail below.
[0057] Referring to FIG. 10, the plurality of wall brackets 104 are
shaped to support the elongate beams 12 in a vertical orientation
relative to a support surface, such as a wall. The plurality of
wall brackets 104 include opposing tabs 106 and 108 (FIG. 11)
including apertures 110 formed therethrough. The apertures 110 are
aligned on the opposing tabs 106 and 108 such that a pin may be
inserted through the opposing tabs 106 and opposing apertures 18 of
the elongate beam 12. The plurality of wall brackets 104 include a
base portion 112 oriented perpendicular to the opposing tabs 106
and 108. The base portion 112 includes at least one aperture 114
formed therethrough for receiving a fastener to secure the
plurality of wall brackets 104 to a surface.
[0058] Referring now to FIG. 12, each of the plurality of elongate
horizontal members 102 includes an elongate body 116. The elongate
body 116 preferably has a rectangular cross-sectional area along a
length of the elongate body 116. The horizontal members 102 are
preferably supported on the vertical beams 12 at an angle such that
the horizontal members 102 are angled upward from an end adjacent
the vertical beams to distal ends of the horizontal members 102 as
shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.
[0059] As shown in FIGS. 13A-13D, the horizontal members 102
include rectangular cutouts 118 formed through opposing sides of
the horizontal members 102 that are shaped to fit around the
elongate beams 12. The rectangular cutouts 118 are preferably
horizontally offset such that when the rectangular cutouts 118 are
slidably fit over the elongate beams 12 the horizontal members 102
are supported at an upward angle relative to perpendicular from the
vertically oriented elongate beams 12. The horizontal members 102
further include a pair of opposing apertures 120 formed through the
elongate body 116 proximate to the opposing apertures 120 such that
a pin or other fastener may be inserted through the opposing
apertures 120 and apertures 18 of the elongate beams 12 to secure
the horizontal members 102 in position.
[0060] The horizontal members 102 further preferably include a
padded surface 122 formed on an upper portion of the horizontal
members 102 to prevent damage to any items resting on top of the
horizontal members 102. The padded surface 122 may be formed from
felt, rubber, or other soft or resiliently flexible materials.
[0061] To install the vertical rack 100, the plurality of wall
brackets 104 are first mounted on a surface such as a wall by
inserting fasteners through the aperture 114 formed through the
base portion and into the surface. Prior to installing the elongate
beams 12 on the wall brackets 104, the horizontal members 102 may
be slidably engaged around the elongate beams 12 and secured in a
desired position by inserting a pin through the apertures 120
formed through the elongate body 116 of the horizontal members 102.
The elongate beam 12 and horizontal members 102 secured thereto may
subsequently be installed on the wall brackets 14 by inserting a
pin through the apertures 110 formed through the opposing tabs 106
and 108 and through apertures of the elongate beam 12.
[0062] Referring now to FIGS. 14A and 14B, in yet another
embodiment a rack system may further include a shelf 200 formed as
part of the rack system for supporting items above the rack system.
The shelf 200 is supported on one or more collapsible brackets 202A
and 202B that enable the shelf 200 to move between a folded
position against a surface on which the shelf 200 is attached and
an unfolded position as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B.
[0063] Referring to FIG. 15, each of the one or more collapsible
brackets 202A includes a base portion 204 and a foldable member 206
pivotally mounted on the base portion 204. The base portion 204
includes an aperture 208 formed therethrough for receiving a
fastener, such as a removable pin, for securing the foldable member
206 in the unfolded position. A lower end of the base portion 204
is shaped to support the elongate beam 12 according to embodiments
described above.
[0064] Referring now to FIG. 16, the foldable member 206 includes a
pivot aperture 210 for receiving a pivot pin or other similar
member around which the foldable member 206 pivots with respect to
the base portion 204. The foldable member 206 further includes an
elongate aperture 212 for receiving the pin inserted through the
aperture 208 of the base portion to support the shelf 200 in the
unfolded position.
[0065] Embodiments of rack systems described herein advantageously
allow for various items to be adjustably supported on a surface,
such as a wall or ceiling. A location of items mounted on the rack
systems may be readily adjusted without requiring tools or
substantial disassembly of the rack systems and provide a sturdy
mount for various types of items to be secured on the rack
systems.
[0066] The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the
present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration
and description. The described preferred embodiments are not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the disclosure
to the precise form(s) disclosed. Obvious modifications or
variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The
embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the
best illustrations of the principles of the disclosure and its
practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill
in the art to utilize the concepts revealed in the disclosure in
various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to
the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and
variations are within the scope of the disclosure as determined by
the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth
to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.
* * * * *