Storage unit and system

• US 20040232092A1
• Filed: 05/22/2003
• Published: 11/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James M. Cash Trust
• Original Assignee: James M. Cash
• Inventors: Cash, James M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,981,597 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 211/4
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 73/008 with attachment means for fixing in another cupboard or rack
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 3/002 Devices for protection against sunlight or theft
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 7/28 for containers, e.g. flasks, bottles , tins, milk packs racks or containers with dispensing arrangements A47F1/04; for lipsticks or markers A47F7/0021; for audio/video cassettes or booklike articles A47F7/14

Abstract

A storage unit configured to store and display items such as wine bottles includes a frame member including a top, a base and a plurality of vertically extending walls. A plurality of shelves are slidably attached to the frame member and configured to store a plurality of items. At least one insert may be positioned within the plurality of shelves to provide a support for the items contained therein. A strap, having a first end and a second end and extending substantially transverse to the front edge of the plurality of shelves is also provided and prevents the plurality of shelves from sliding. The shelves may be removed from the frame member and stored on a top surface of the frame member to reconfigure the storage space within the storage unit.

Claims

1. A storage unit configured to store and display items, comprising:

a frame member including a plurality of vertically extending walls;

a plurality of shelves slidably attached to said frame member and configured to store a plurality of items;

an insert positioned within at least one of said plurality of shelves; and

wherein said insert supports and substantially minimizes movement of said stored items.

2. The storage unit of claim 1 further comprising a locking mechanism.

3. The storage unit of claim 2 wherein said frame member further includes a top and a base, said top including a first bracket and said bottom including a second bracket and wherein the storage unit further comprises a strap having a first end and a second end and extending substantially transverse to a front edge of said plurality of shelves, said first end received within said first bracket and said second end received within said second bracket.

4. The storage unit of claim 3, further including a lock connected to said strap to prevent said strap from being removed.

5. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein said insert includes a plurality of brace members.

6. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein said insert includes a plurality of arcuate channels.

7. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein said insert is made of foam.

8. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein said slidable attachment includes roller bearings.

9. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein said plurality of shelves includes a front lip.

11. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein said plurality of shelves are removable from said frame member.

12. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of shelves is removable from said frame creating a storage space for storing at least one object.

13. The storage unit of claim 12, wherein said removed at least one of said plurality of shelves is stored on a top surface of said frame member.

10. A storage unit configured to store and display items, comprising:

a frame member including a plurality of vertically extending walls;

a plurality of shelves slidably attached to said frame member and configured to store a plurality of items;

an insert positioned within at least one of said plurality of shelves;

wherein said insert supports and substantially minimizes movement of said stored items; and

wherein said plurality of shelves include a front edge and a plurality of retainer brackets extending substantially upward from said front edge.

14. A storage unit, comprising:

a frame member including a top, a base and a plurality of vertically extending walls;

a plurality of shelves slidably attached to said vertically extending walls having a front edge and a plurality of retainer brackets extending substantially upwardly from said front edge; and

wherein said plurality of shelves is configured to store a plurality of items.

15. The storage unit of claim 14, wherein said frame member further includes a first bracket and a second bracket and a strap having a first end and a second end extending substantially transverse to said front edge, said first end received within said first bracket and said second end received within said second bracket;

and wherein said strap prevents said plurality of shelves from sliding to an open position.

16. The storage unit of claim 14, wherein said plurality of shelves include a bottom surface and an insert positioned on said bottom surface, said insert configured to support and substantially minimize movement of said stored items.

17. The storage unit of claim 16, wherein said insert includes a plurality of brace members.

18. The storage unit of claim 16, wherein said insert includes a plurality of arcuate channels.

19. The storage unit of claim 14, wherein said slidable attachment includes roller bearings.

20. The storage unit of claim 14, wherein at least one of said plurality of shelves are removable from said frame member.

21. A storage system, comprising:

a frame member;

a plurality of shelves slidably and removably connected to said frame member and defining a first plurality of spaces to store a plurality of items in a first configuration; and

wherein said plurality of shelves are reconfigurable to provide a second plurality of spaces to store a plurality of items in a second configuration.