U.S. patent application number 16/687027 was filed with the patent office on 2021-05-20 for storage unit with support cradle.
The applicant listed for this patent is Daniel Kelly. Invention is credited to Gerald Koefelda, John A. Spadavecchia.
Application Number | 20210147106 16/687027 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004901316 |
Filed Date | 2021-05-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210147106 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Koefelda; Gerald ; et
al. |
May 20, 2021 |
STORAGE UNIT WITH SUPPORT CRADLE
Abstract
A storage unit for storing one or more storable members. The
storage unit includes a housing configured to support at least one
storage tunnel. The storage tunnel is defined by a circumferential
wall extending about a central axis with the circumferential wall
having a minimum distance from the central axis. A support cradle
is defined along a lower portion of the tunnel and includes at
least one longitudinal rail extending parallel with the central
axis. The at least one longitudinal rail has a support surface
which is at a distance from the central axis which is less than the
minimum distance of the circumferential wall.
Inventors: |
Koefelda; Gerald; (Lake
Bluff, IL) ; Spadavecchia; John A.; (Red House,
VA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kelly; Daniel |
|
|
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004901316 |
Appl. No.: |
16/687027 |
Filed: |
November 18, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 71/0096 20130101;
B65D 1/243 20130101; B65D 21/0215 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 1/24 20060101
B65D001/24; B65D 71/00 20060101 B65D071/00; B65D 21/02 20060101
B65D021/02 |
Claims
1. A storage unit for storing one or more storable members having a
maximum radius, the storage unit comprising: a housing configured
to support at least one storage tunnel, the storage tunnel defined
by a circumferential wall extending about a central axis with the
circumferential wall having a minimum distance from the central
axis; and a support cradle defined along a lower portion of the
tunnel, the support cradle including at least one longitudinal
rail, the at least one longitudinal rail having a support surface
which is at a distance from the central axis which is less than the
minimum distance of the circumferential wall.
2. The storage unit of claim 1 wherein the support cradle includes
first and second longitudinal rails with the first longitudinal
rail positioned on a first lateral side of the tunnel and the
second longitudinal rail positioned on an opposite lateral side of
the tunnel.
3. The storage unit of claim 1 wherein the at least one
longitudinal rail has a smooth arcuate surface.
4. The storage unit of claim 1 wherein the at least one
longitudinal rail has a smooth planar surface.
5. The storage unit of claim 1 wherein the support surface of the
at least one longitudinal rail has a plurality of longitudinal ribs
defined thereon.
6. The storage unit of claim 1 wherein the support surface of the
at least one longitudinal rail has a plurality of longitudinal
grooves defined therein.
7. The storage unit of claim 1 further comprising at least one
bumper positioned along an inside surface of the circumferential
wall within an upper portion of the tunnel.
8. The storage unit of claim 1 wherein the maximum radius of the
storable member is less than the minimum distance of the
circumferential wall.
9. A storage unit for storing one or more storable members, the
storage unit comprising: a housing configured to support at least
one storage tunnel extending longitudinally from a front end to a
rear end, wherein the storage tunnel is defined by a
circumferential wall which has at least a first longitudinally
extending bumped in area to define at least a first longitudinal
rail having a support surface which is radially inward from the
remainder of the circumferential wall.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to a rack for storing
storable members, such as water bottles, and more specifically to
storage units configured to minimize wear on the stored
members.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] One example of a storable member typically stored and
transported in racks is a generally cylindrical water bottle. These
water bottles are typically handled, transported, and stored in
varying quantities. For easier handling, transport, and storage,
the water bottles may be loaded in carriers designed to accommodate
multiple bottles. Each carrier defines one or more tunnels
configured to receive and support the bottles in a horizontal
position. To accommodate a larger number of bottles, each tunnel is
typically configured to receive two bottles, one behind the other.
To further accommodate the varying quantities of bottles, aluminum
and plastic modular racks are available comprising carriers
designed to be vertically stackable. These modular racks are formed
by stacking bottle storage units or carriers to define a rack
approximately six feet or more in height.
[0003] Once a rack is assembled in a delivery truck, the storable
members or bottles are supported for transportation. Rough road
surfaces and the like may cause bouncing or bumping of the storable
members or bottles within the storage units which may result in
damage or breakage of the storable members or bottles. Even if not
rendered unusable, scratches on the bottle reduced the appearance
and perceived quality of the bottle, often shortening the useful
life of the bottle.
[0004] To overcome the shortcomings of existing modular racks, a
need exists for a storage rack that minimizes damage and scratching
for the storable members stored within the rack tunnels.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides a
storage unit for storing one or more storable members. The storage
unit includes a housing configured to support at least one storage
tunnel. The storage tunnel is defined by a circumferential wall
extending about a central axis with the circumferential wall having
a minimum distance from the central axis. A support cradle is
defined along a lower portion of the tunnel and includes at least
one longitudinal rail. The at least one longitudinal rail has a
support surface which is at a distance from the central axis which
is less than the minimum distance of the circumferential wall.
[0006] In at least one embodiment of the invention, the at least
one longitudinal rail has a smooth arcuate surface.
[0007] In at least one embodiment of the invention, the support
surface of the at least one longitudinal rail has a plurality of
longitudinal ribs defined thereon.
[0008] In at least one embodiment of the invention, the support
surface of the at least one longitudinal rail has a plurality of
longitudinal grooves defined therein.
[0009] In at least one embodiment of the invention, the storage
unit further includes at least one bumper positioned along an
inside surface of the circumferential wall within an upper portion
of the tunnel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and
constitute part of this specification, illustrate the presently
preferred embodiments of the invention, and, together with the
general description given above and the detailed description given
below, serve to explain the features of the invention. In the
drawings:
[0011] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a pair of storage
units in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a plurality of stacked
storage units in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a storage unit in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the storage unit of
FIG. 3.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the stacked storage
units of FIG. 2 with a rail portion of one of the storage tunnels
shown in an expanded view.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along the line 6-6 in FIG.
3, with a rail portion of one of the storage tunnels shown in an
expanded view.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 illustrating an
alternative rail configuration.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the storage unit of
FIG. 7.
[0019] FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D are expanded views illustrating
various rail configurations.
[0020] FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of a storage unit in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention with a bumper
portion of one of the storage tunnels shown in expanded view.
[0021] FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of one of the storage
tunnels of the storage unit of FIG. 10.
[0022] FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of the storage unit of FIG.
3.
[0023] FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the storage unit of FIG.
3.
[0024] FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of the storage unit of FIG.
3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] In the drawings, like numerals indicate like elements
throughout. Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only
and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention.
The following describes preferred embodiments of the present
invention. However, it should be understood, based on this
disclosure, that the invention is not limited by the preferred
embodiments described herein.
[0026] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a stackable
storage unit 10, according to a first exemplary embodiment of the
present invention. Each storage unit 10 holds a plurality of water
bottles 8 or other storable members, and is configured to be
interlocked with an underlying storage unit 10 or with a base unit
11. The storage units 10 of the present invention provide stability
to the bottles within the storage tunnels 15 while reducing bottle
damage and scratching.
[0027] When used herein, the following words and phrases have the
meaning provided. Front shall indicate the storage unit front
surface 14 and rear shall indicate the storage unit rear surface
16. Forward shall indicate toward the front surface 14 and rearward
shall indicate toward the rear surface 6. Left and right shall
indicate the directions when looking at the storage unit front
surface 14. Up, upper, upward, above, down, lower, downward, below,
underlying, and the like indicate the directions relative to the
front surface 14 as shown in FIG. 1. Longitudinal indicates the
axis extending from the front surface 14 to the rear surface 16,
being oriented generally parallel to the axis of generally
cylindrical storable members (e.g., bottles) stored in a storage
unit. Lateral and latitudinal indicates the direction between the
left and right sides of the storage unit 10.
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 1-4 and 12-14, the general configuration
of an exemplary storage unit 10 will be described in greater
detail. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 10 includes a
housing 12 which defines a plurality of storage tunnels 15. The
housing 12 may be formed as a single unit or interconnected
members, for example, lower and upper housing halves which
interconnect to one another. The tunnels 15 are configured to
receive generally cylindrical storable members 8, such as water
bottles, for example, two 5-gallon water bottles. While the
exemplary storage unit 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 comprises four
tunnels 5, storage units 10 having a larger or smaller number of
tunnels 15 are contemplated.
[0029] Each tunnel 15 is bounded by a circumferential wall 20. Each
circumferential wall 20 is a generally tubular wall structure
extending from the front surface 14 to the rear surface 16. A
plurality of openings may be formed through the circumferential
wall 20. The circumferential walls 20 of the tunnels 15 are
supported by a front lateral support 30, an intermediate lateral
support 32 and a rear lateral support 34. The lateral supports 30,
32, 34 of the present embodiment are defined by a plurality of
walls 31 and an interconnected rib structure 33. The rib structure
33 may also extend along the outside surface of the circumferential
walls 20 to provide additional support. The lateral supports 30,
32, 34 preferably each define a pair of fork openings 36 along a
lower edge thereof to facilitate lifting of the storage unit 10
with a fork lift or the like. The rear lateral support 34
preferably includes a rear wall 35 which closes at least a portion
of each tunnel 15 to prevent the stored items from passing out the
rear of the tunnel 15.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the rib structure 33 may have
openings between the vertical ribs, reducing material, weight, and
cost of storage unit 10. To further reduce weight and provide
access, access openings 37 may be provided in the circumferential
walls 20, the rear wall 35, and the rib structure 33. Each storage
unit 10 preferably includes elements to facilitate stacking of the
storage units 10. In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of
cleats 40 extend upward from the upper surface of each housing 12
and are configured to be received in corresponding openings 42 in
the lower surface of the housing 12 (see FIG. 14) of an adjacent
storage unit 10. Additionally, the upper surface of each housing 12
has openings 46 configured to receive the legs 44 depending from
the lower surface of the housing 12 of an adjacent storage unit 10.
While the storage units 10 are illustrated with lateral supports
30, 32, 34 and a rib structure 33, the invention is not limited to
such and the storage units may have other configurations supporting
the circumferential walls 20 defining each tunnel 15.
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 3-9, to support the storable members 8, a
support cradle 50 is defined in the lower portion of each tunnel 15
such that the storable members 8 are supported spaced from the
circumferential wall 20. In the illustrated embodiment, each
support cradle 50 is defined by a pair of spaced apart,
longitudinally extending rails 52, each oriented essentially
parallel to the central axis CA of the tunnel 15. While the
illustrated support cradle 50 includes a pair of rails 52, it is
understood that the support cradle may include more or fewer rails.
Each rail 52 has a contact surface which is radially inward of the
circumferential wall 20 such that the storable member 8 is
supported away from the circumferential wall 20.
[0032] Such spacing is illustrated with respect to FIG. 5. As shown
therein, the circumferential wall 20 of each tunnel 15 is at a
minimum distance R1 from the central axis CA of the tunnel 15,
while the support surface 54 of each rail 52 is at distance R2
which is less than the minimum distance R1. Furthermore, the
storable member 8 has a maximum radius R3 which is less than the
minimum distance R1 of the circumferential wall 20. As such, the
storable member 8 only contacts the rails 52 and remains spaced
from the circumferential wall 20 about its perimeter. The storable
member 8 may have a radius R3 which is equal to, smaller than or
larger than the distance R2. In the illustrated embodiment, the
radius R3 is less than the distance R2 such that a larger gap is
provided between the storable member 8 and the circumferential wall
20 at the upper portion of the tunnel 15 than at the lower portion
of the tunnel 15. Also, the pair of rails 52 provide lateral
support to the storable members 8, reducing damage that may be
caused by lateral shifting during transport and handling.
[0033] With reference to FIG. 6, each of the rails 52 of the
illustrated embodiment are formed integrally with the
circumferential wall 20, i.e. the wall 20 bumps radially inward at
the sides 51 of each rail 52 to define each rail 52. It is
understood that the rails 52 may be otherwise formed. For example,
the rails 52 may be formed separately and secured within the tunnel
15 or the rails 52 may be formed by making the circumferential wall
thicker at the location of the rails such that the support surface
54 of the rails 52 is again radially inward of the remaining
portion of the circumferential wall 20. Other configurations may
also be utilized.
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 6-9C, the support surface 54 of the rails
52 may have various configurations. In the embodiment illustrated
in FIGS. 6 and 9A, each of the rails 52 has a generally smooth
arcuate support surface 54 contoured to complement the cylindrical
surface of the storable member 8 (e.g., water bottle). Referring to
FIG. 9B, another exemplary rail 52' configuration is illustrated.
In this embodiment, the support surface 54' has a flat or planar
configuration which extends tangential to the surface of the
storable member 8. With this configuration, the support surface 54'
makes point or line contact with the storable member 8. In the
storage unit 10' illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9C, each support
rail 52'' has a support surface 54'' with a plurality of
longitudinal ribs 55. The size, shape and number of ribs 55 may
vary. In all other respects, the storage unit 10' is the same as
the previous embodiment. Referring to FIG. 9D, another exemplary
rail 52''' configuration is illustrated. In this embodiment, the
support surface 54''' has a plurality of longitudinal grooves 57
formed therein. The size, shape and number of grooves 57 may vary.
Other rail configurations providing a desired balance between
support and surface contact may also be utilized.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 10-11, a storage unit 10'' incorporating
a plurality of bumpers 60 in addition to the support cradles 50 is
illustrated. The storage unit 10'' is substantially the same as in
the previous embodiments and includes one or more tunnels 15 with a
cradle assembly 50 configured to support the storable member 8
spaced from the circumferential wall 20 defining the tunnel 15. To
minimize the potential of the storable member 8 bouncing and
hitting the top and or sides of the tunnel 15, one or more bumpers
60 are positioned on the inside of the circumferential wall 20,
preferably in the upper portion of the tunnel 15. The bumpers 60
may extend the full longitudinal length of the tunnel 15 or may be
provided at spaced intervals as illustrated. The bumpers 60 are
sized such that they fit in the gap between the storable member 8
and the upper, inner surface of the circumferential wall 20.
Preferably, a clearance remains between the storable members 8 and
the bumpers 60 such that the bumpers 60 do not interfere with
positioning the storable members 8 in or removing the storable
members 8 from the tunnel 15.
[0036] The bumpers 60 may be manufactured from various materials
including materials that are very soft, low durometer materials or
harder, higher durometer materials. For example, the bumpers 60 may
include a solid material or alternatively, a fluid filled member
which provides the shock absorption. In the fluid filled
embodiment, the member may be, for example, a sealed or refillable
polymer sack. The fluid may include air, some other gas or a
liquid.
[0037] These and other advantages of the present invention will be
apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing
specification. Accordingly, it will be recognized by those skilled
in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the
above-described embodiments without departing from the broad
inventive concepts of the invention. It should therefore be
understood that this invention is not limited to the particular
embodiments described herein, but is intended to include all
changes and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of
the invention as defined in the claims.
* * * * *