STORAGE SYSTEM

• US 20070278918A1
• Filed: 11/09/2006
• Published: 12/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Allan Grainger
• Original Assignee: Allan Grainger
• Inventors: Grainger, Allan
• Granted Patent: US 8,016,370 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 312/330.100
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 67/04 Chests of drawers; Cabinets characterised by the arrangement of drawers A47B67/02 takes precedence; drawers, guides for drawers, per se A47B88/00

Abstract

A storage device includes a framework (100) comprising upper (102′, 104′, 106′) members and lower (102, 104, 106) members connected together in a spaced-apart relationship by a plurality of struts (108). The storage device further includes a container-supporting arrangement (210) slidably mounted within the framework, the container-supporting arrangement being moveable between a retracted position configured to store a supported container within the framework, and an extended position configured to position at least part of the supported container outside the framework.

Claims

1. A storage device including:

a framework comprising upper members and lower members connected together in a spaced-apart relationship by a plurality of struts (108), and a container-supporting arrangement slidably mounted within the framework, the container-supporting arrangement being moveable between a retracted position configured to store a supported container within the framework, and an extended position configured to position at least part of the supported container outside the framework.

2. A storage device according to claim 1, wherein the framework includes upper formations configured to cooperate with corresponding lower formations located on another said storage device, thereby assisting with securely stacking the storage devices.

3. A storage device according to claim 2, including a set of said struts located at four corners of the framework and wherein the upper and lower formations are located on upper and lower surfaces of each of the struts.

4. A storage device according to claim 2, wherein the upper formations comprise male members and the lower formations comprise female members.

5. A storage device according to claim 3, wherein including further struts located about half-way along longer elongate members of the framework.

6. A storage device according to claim 1, wherein the container-supporting arrangement includes a first base frame configured to support the

container, the first base frame being slidably mounted on a second base frame that is slid ably mounted within the framework.

7. A storage device according to claim 6, wherein the second base frame is configured to extend partly out of the framework and the first base frame is configured to extend partly out of the second base frame, thereby assisting with preventing the storage device from de-stabilising when the container-supporting arrangement is moved to the extended position.

8. A storage device according to claim 7, wherein the first base frame includes a pair of parallel elongate side members and an elongate rear member extending between the side members.

9. A storage device according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the side members of the first base frame includes at least one formation configured to cooperate with corresponding at least one formation on at least one corresponding said side members of the second base frame.

10. A storage device according to claim 9, wherein the at least one formation of the side members of the first base frame includes a projection and the corresponding formation on the side member of the second base frame includes a slot.

11. A storage device according to claim 10, wherein the slot includes a formation that limits movement of the projection unless sufficient force/directional movement is applied to allow the projection to move free of the limiting formation in the slot.

12. A storage device according to claim 8, wherein the second base frame is slid ably mounted on at least some of the lower members of the framework.

13. A storage device according to claim 12, wherein the lower members includes a slot formation configured to cooperate with corresponding formations on side members of the second base frame.

14. A storage device according to claim 8, wherein the rear member of the first base frame includes at least one formation configured to cooperate with at least one corresponding formation on the rear member of the second base frame.

15. A storage device according to claim 14, wherein the rear member of the second base frame includes at least one formation configured to cooperate with at least one, corresponding formation on a rear member of the framework.

16. A storage device according to claim 15, wherein positions of the at least one formation of the first base frame and the cooperating at least one formation of the second base frame are offset from the at least one formation of the second base frame and the cooperating at least one formation of the rear member of the framework.

17. A storage device according to claim 1, wherein a loading end of the container-supporting arrangement includes a device configured to releasably secure a container on the arrangement.

18. A storage device according to claim 17, wherein the securing device includes a moveable clasp or the like configured to engage with a corresponding formation on the container.

19. A storage device according to claim 18, wherein the clasp is springloaded.

20. A storage system including at least one storage device according to claim 1 and at least one container.