Under cabinet/shelf storage rack

• US 10,415,874 B1
• Filed: 02/21/2019
• Issued: 09/17/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ronald Beck
• Original Assignee: Ronald Beck
• Inventors: Beck, Ronald
• Primary Examiner(s): Tefera, Hiwot E
• Application Number:
  US16/281,634
• Time in Patent Office: 208 Days
• Field of Search: 312408, 312323-325, 312245-248, 312266, 312310, 312322, 312204, 211 74, 211113, 211117, 211115, 211116, 211118
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 43/003 Suspended shelves, e.g. by means of supple elements
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 46/005 by displacement in a vertical plane; by rotating about a horizontal axis
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 73/008 with attachment means for fixing in another cupboard or rack
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 96/024 characterised by support bracket location means, e.g. fixing means between support bracket and shelf A47B96/028 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 96/025 Shelves with moving elements, e.g. movable extensions or link elements cabinets, racks or shelf units enabling enlargement in height, length or depth A47B45/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 96/062 for glass shelves
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2325/021 Shelves with several possible configurations
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2331/803 Bottles
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2331/809 Holders
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 25/024 Slidable shelves

Abstract

Rack systems, devices, and methods for attaching and providing foldable storage racks underneath refrigerator shelves or cabinets or other shelves for suspending, storing and separating wine bottles and beverage cans and plates. The storage racks can include a plurality of bail cradles each having ends pivotally attached to brackets. The bail cradles can have concave support surfaces for supporting and separating bottles and cans. The bail cradles can have ribbed upper surfaces for allowing a shelf/tray to slide thereon. The racks can have pivotal vertical legs with a slide out drawer on lower ends of the legs. The racks can be used for storing other items such as computer keyboards and the like, used with desks, tables, and the like.

Claims

1. A foldable rack system, comprising:

a first elongated bracket having a front end and a rear end;

a second elongated bracket having a front end and a rear end, the first elongated bracket being spaced from and in parallel to the second elongated bracket;

a first cradle member having a left end and a right end, the left end of the first cradle member being pivotally attached to the first elongated bracket adjacent to the front end of the first elongated bracket, and the right end of the first cradle member being pivotally attached to the second elongated bracket adjacent to the front end of the second elongated bracket;

a second cradle member having a left end and a right end, the left end of the second cradle member being pivotally attached to the first elongated bracket adjacent to the rear end of the first elongated bracket, and the right end of the second cradle member pivotally attached to the second elongated bracket adjacent to the rear end of the second elongated bracket, the second cradle member being spaced apart and parallel to the first cradle member, wherein the first cradle member and the second cradle member are pivotally moveable from a folded down position with the first and the second cradle members extending downward from the first and the second elongated brackets, to a folded up position with the first and the second cradle members both folded adjacent to the first and the second elongated brackets;

an accessory shelf for sliding on the first and the second cradle members when the first and the second cradle members are in the folded down position; and

rotatable balls on upper surfaces of the first and the second cradle members for allowing the accessory shelf to easily slide thereon.

2. The foldable rack system of claim 1, further comprising:

a pair of straps for attaching each of the first and the second elongated brackets under a shelf.

3. The foldable rack system of claim 1, further comprising:

a left link arm having a rear end and a front end, the rear end being pivotally attached to the left end of the second cradle member, the front end of the left link arm being pivotally attached to the left end of the first cradle member; and

a right link arm having a rear end and a front end, the rear end of the right link arm being pivotally attached to the right end of the second cradle member, the front end of the right link arm being pivotally attached to the right end of the first cradle member.

4. The foldable rack system of claim 1, further comprising:

bendable tabs and detents for locking the first and the second cradle members in the folded up position and the folded down position.

5. The foldable rack system of claim 1, further comprising:

screw fasteners for attaching each of the first and the second elongated brackets to an under surface of a shelf.

6. The foldable rack system of claim 1, wherein the accessory shelf includes:

a plurality of raised ribs spaced apart from one another on at least one side of the accessory shelf.

7. The foldable rack system of claim 1, further comprising:

anti-tip tabs on inner sides of the first and the second cradle members for keeping the accessory shelf from tilting.

8. The foldable rack system of claim 1, further comprising:

a third cradle member having a left end and a right end, the left end of the third cradle member being pivotally attached to the first elongated bracket between the front end and the rear end of the first elongated bracket, and the right end of the third cradle member pivotally attached to the second elongated bracket between the front end and the rear end of the second elongated bracket, the third cradle member being spaced apart and parallel to the first cradle member and the second cradle member.

9. The foldable rack system of claim 8, further comprising:

a left link arm having a rear end and a front end, the rear end being pivotally attached to the left end of the second cradle member, the front end of the left link arm being pivotally attached to the left end of the first cradle member, and a middle portion of the left link arm being pivotally attached to the left end of the third cradle member; and

a right link arm having a rear end and a front end, the rear end of the right link arm being pivotally attached to the right end of the second cradle member, the front end of the right link arm being pivotally attached to the right end of the first cradle member, and a middle portion of the right link arm being pivotally attached to the right end of the third cradle member.

10. A foldable rack system, comprising:

a first elongated bracket having a front end and a rear end;

a second elongated bracket having a front end and a rear end, the first elongated bracket being spaced from and in parallel to the second elongated bracket;

a first foldable cradle member having a left end and a right end, the left end of the first foldable cradle member being foldable to the first elongated bracket, and the right end of the first foldable cradle member being foldable to the second elongated bracket;

a second foldable cradle member having a left end and a right end, the left end of the second foldable cradle member being foldable to the first elongated bracket, and the right end of the second foldable cradle member being foldable to the second elongated bracket;

an accessory shelf for sliding on the first and the second cradle members when the first and the second cradle members are in a folded down position; and

rotatable balls on upper surfaces of the first and the second cradle members for allowing the accessory shelf to easily slide thereon.

11. The foldable rack system of claim 10, further comprising:

a third foldable cradle member having a left end and a right end, the left end of the third foldable cradle member being foldable to the first elongated bracket, and the right end of the third foldable cradle member being foldable to the second elongated bracket; and

rotatable balls on upper surfaces of the third foldable cradle member for allowing the accessory shelf to easily slide thereon.

12. The foldable rack system of claim 10, further comprising:

a pair of straps for attaching each of the first and the second elongated brackets under a shelf.

13. The foldable rack system of claim 10, further comprising:

screw fasteners for attaching each of the first and the second elongated brackets to an under surface of a shelf.

14. The foldable rack system of claim 10, wherein the accessory shelf includes:

a plurality of raised ribs spaced apart from one another on at least one side of the accessory shelf.

15. The foldable rack system of claim 10, further comprising:

anti-tip tabs on inner sides of the first and the second foldable cradle members for keeping the accessory shelf from tilting.