Storage System

The present invention relates generally to storage systems and more particularly, to a new and improved storage system which may be operatively associated with doors, partitions or the like that function to normally close or cover the access opening to a storage area such as a closet, room etc. It is, therefore, the general object of the present invention to provide a new and improved storage system adapted to be operatively associated with such closure doors.

More specifically, the present invention is directed toward a new and improved storage system which may be mounted directly upon the rearward side of a single door or be incorporated on each of a plurality of coplanar or otherwise arranged doors so as to provide useful storage space in a location which is normally not used for storage. In particular, the present invention contemplates the arrangement of a plurality of storage containers mounted in generally vertical alignment on the interior side of a closet door or the like, whereby when the door is biased about its generally vertical hinge axis to an open position, full access may be had to the storage containers as well as to the interior of the closet. It is accordingly another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved storage system which may be operatively mounted on closet doors and the like.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved storage system of the above described character which may be provided in the form of a panel secured directly to one side of a door or the like and which is provided with a pair of spaced parallel mounting sections upon which the aforesaid plurality of storage containers may be removably secured.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved storage system wherein the mounting sections for the storage containers are formed integrally of a molded door structure.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved storage system as above described wherein the storage containers may take the form of shelves, storage bins, etc., and may be utilized for storing a myriad of different articles, materials and items.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved storage system which is in the form of a unitized closet structure which may be prefabricated and assembled in its entirety and be adapted for operative installation within a recess or opening of suitable dimensions in order to minimize assembly time and effort.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a storage system of the above character wherein the storage containers embodied therein may utilize common component parts in order to standardize production and minimize component inventory.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved storage system of the above described type that will find universality of application, which will be economical to commercially manufacture and install, and will have a long and effective operational life.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an elevated perspective view of a storage system incorporating the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of one preferred embodiment of the storage system of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged transverse cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 4--4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the structure shown in FIG. 3, as seen in the direction of the arrow 5 thereof;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4 and illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 3 and illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an elevated exploded view, partially broken away of another embodiment of the present invention wherein the storage system is incorporated in a unitized prefabricated closet structure or the like;

FIG. 9 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the structure shown in FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is an exploded assembly view of one of the storage containers incorporated in the present invention.

Referring now in detail to the drawings and in particular, to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, a storage system 10 in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention, is shown in operative association with a storage area generally designated by the numeral 12. The storage area 12 may typically consist of a clothes closet or similar structure 14 having an access opening 16 which is normally closed by one or more doors or similar movable members. By way of example, the access opening 16 of the closet 14 is normally closed by a plurality of coplanar arranged louvered doors 18, 20, 22 and 24 which are arranged in hingedly mounted pairs. In particular, door 18 is hingedly mounted along a generally vertical axis 26 to one side edge of the opening 16, while door 20 is hingedly mounted along a vertical axis 28 to the opposite side edge of door 18. In a similar manner door 24 is hingedly mounted along a vertical hinged axis 32 to the opposite side edge of the opening 16, and door 22 is hingedly mounted to the door 24 along hinge axis 30. With this arrangement, the doors 20 and 22 may be folded about the axes 28 and 30, respectively, such that the forward (outwardly facing) sides thereof confront the forward (outwardly facing) sides of the aforesaid doors 18 and 24, while the doors 18, 20 and 22, 24 may be folded or pivoted conjointly about the axes 26 and 32 to the fully "open" position shown in FIG. 2. With this arrangement, convenient access is provided to the interior of the closet 14 and at the same time access is provided to the rearward sides of the doors 18-24 for purposes hereinafter to be described.

Referring now in detail to FIGS. 3 and 4, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, at least one, and preferably all four of the doors 18-24, is provided with a storage panel member which is generally designated by the numeral 34 and for purposes of illustration is operatively associated with the door 18 which typically comprises a pair of spaced parallel vertically extending rail sections 36 and 38 between which a plurality of louvers, filler panels, etc., 40 extend. The panel member 34 comprises a pair of vertically extending spaced parallel mounting sections 42 and 44 which define mounting surfaces 46, 48, respectively, that lie along an imaginary plane 50 which is spaced slightly away from the plane of the panel member 34. The member 34 is fixedly secured to the door 18 by means of suitable screws, bolts or the like 52 which extend between the outer marginal edges of the member 34 and rails 36, 38 of the door 18. It will be appreciated, of course, that various alternative means may be utilized for operatively securing the panel 34 to the door 18, such as by a suitable adhesive or the like (not shown). Preferably, however, the panel member 34 is coextensive of the entire side of the associated door 18, as best seen in FIG. 3, although for certain applications, it may be desired to have the panel member 34 extend only partially or a fraction of the entire length of the door 18, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

The mounting sections 42, 44 of the panel member 34 and in particular, the surfaces 46, 48 thereof define pairs of laterally aligned apertures or bores, generally designated by the numeral 54 which, as best seen in FIG. 5, are inclined slightly upwardly toward the rearward sides of the doors 18-20. The bores 54 are adapted to nestingly receive mounting elements, generally designated by the numeral 56, which are generally rod-shaped or of a dowel configuration and are adapted to operatively support hereinafter to be described storage containers, generally designated by the numeral 58, upon the associated panel member 34.

As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 7, the storage containers 58 may be of a variety of different constructions but are all preferably of a generally parallelpiped or rectangular configuration having front portions 60, side portions 62, 64 and a bottom portion 66. The containers may have an open upper side or top 68 into which articles to be stored may be inserted, and the front portions or sides 60 thereof may be cut away, as seen at 70 in FIG. 3, to facilitate removal of the articles. If desired, suitable partitions, as indicated at 72 in FIG. 3, may be provided for separating articles within the containers 58, and the containers 58 may be relatively shallow (for storing small articles), or relatively deep as indicated at 74 in FIG. 3. If desired, multiple partitions 76, 78 may be utilized in the containers 58 and the forward sides 60 thereof may be removed in order to provide convenient access and removal of articles as indicated in the container 80 in FIG. 3. If desired, the storage containers may merely consist of a shelf or horizontal platform 82 as seen in FIG. 7, having a pair of end members 84, 86 and rearwardly extending back flanges 88, 90. A preferred construction of the sotrage containers is depicted in FIG. 10 and hereinafter described. Regardless of the relative size, dimension, number and type of access openings and/or internal partitions, each of the storage containers 58 is provided with a back or rearward side, as indicated at 92 in FIG. 5 (or in the case of the shelf 82, the back flanges 88, 90). Formed in the rearward side 92 is a pair of openings or apertures 94 which are spaced apart a distance equal to the space between the mounting sections 42, 44 and are adapted to align with the apertures 54 formed therein, whereby the outer ends of the mounting elements 56 may extend through the apertures 94 and thereby support the containers 58 upon the panel member 34. By virtue of the upwardly inclined orientation of the mounting elements 56, the various storage containers 58 will be mounted in tight contiguous engagement with the surfaces 46, 48 so as to assure that the containers 58 do not become inadvertently disassembled from the panel member 34, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

FIG. 6 illustrates a slightly modified embodiment of the present invention wherein a door 100 is fabricated of a molded material, such as a suitable rigid (or reinforced) polyurethane foam or the like and comprises a pair of spaced parallel vertically extending mounting sections 102 and 104. As will be apparent, the mounting sections 102, 104 are formed integrally of the door 100 and as such obviate the need for having an entire panel, such as the panel 34, secured to the door per se. The mounting sections 102, 104 are formed with a plurality of laterally spaced pairs of aligned bores 106 which are analogous to the aforementioned bores 54, and like the bores 54, are inclined upwardly slightly and adapted to receive the ends of associated mounting elements, such as the mounting elements 56, whereby one or more of the aforediscussed storage containers 58 may be mounted at selected vertical positions along the door 100.

FIG. 7 illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention where a standard door 110 may be adapted to the principles of the present invention through the provision of a pair of mounting strips 112 and 114 which are mounted in the spaced parallel relationship on one surface of the door 110. The strips 112, 114 may be secured to the door 110 by any suitable means, such as screws, bolts, adhesive, etc., and are provided with a plurality of aligned blind bores 116 adapted to receive mounting elements 56 which function to support storage containers 58.

It is to be noted that while particular reference has been made herein to the specific application of the present invention to the door per se, the present invention is not necessarily so limited in view of the fact that the principles of the present invention could be applied satisfactorily to any suitable partition, vertical wall surface or the like whereby to achieve the objects of the present invention, namely, to provide storage space at a location where suitable storage facilities were previously unavailable. This object is particularly satisfied in connection with the door arrangement shown in FIGS. 1-3 wherein doors 18-24 normally close at access opening 16 to the closet 14. When the doors 18-24 are in their closed position, all of the storage containers 58 are entirely hidden from view so as to not be objectionable from an aesthetic standpoint. However, through simple manipulation or opening of the respective doors, complete access may be had to all of the storage containers 58 for purposes of removing articles from or replacing articles thereinto. By virtue of the fact that the containers 58 do not extend any significant distance into the closet 14, there is no interference whatsoever with the articles which are normally stored therein, such as hanging clothes, etc. Consequently, the present invention significantly enhances or supplements existing storage space without in any way interfering with articles which are normally stored therein.

Referring now in detail to FIGS. 8 and 9, another embodiment of the present invention is shown in the form of a unitized storage structure, generally designated 150, which is in the form of a totally prefabricated or preassembled structure adapted to be operatively mounted within a rough opening or recess 152 formed in a wall or similar structure 154. The structure 150 includes spaced apart sides 156, 158, top 160, bottom 162 and defines a forwardly exposed access opening 164. As in the case with the opening 16, the opening 164 is adapted to be closed by louvered or similar type doors 166, 168, 170 and 172 which are preferably, although not necessarily, hingedly mounted in the same manner as the doors 18-24. Perferably, the entire storage structure 150 is fabricated of molded fiberglass, plastic or the like so that it may be entirely preassembled and have the doors 166-172 prehung or mounted therein preparatory to assembly within the recess 152 in much the same way as molded fiberglass tub and shower enclosures are premanufactured and assembled. The dimensions of the structure 150 may vary, of course, depending upon the application thereof, although in the embodiment disclosed herein, the depth and width thereof are sufficient to accommodate a pair of transverse closet bars 174, 176 and a laterally extending closet bar 178 upon which clothes or similar articles may be hung in a manner well known in the art. If desired, the structure may be provided with an interior mirror or the like 180 and have a stool or similar structure 182 be provided, which stool 182 may be combined with a shoe rack or the like.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, by having the storage structure entirely premanufactured, installation time and effort will be minimized to the extreme and that it will merely be necessary to place the structure 150 into the recess or opening 152 and secure the structure 150 in place by any suitable means, i.e., screws, nails, adhesive, etc.

The doors 166-172 are preferably, although not necessarily, of the type shown in FIG. 6 and as such are adapted to have a plurality of storage containers 184 located at selected vertical locations or positions on the rearward or interior sides thereof. The storage containers 184 may take the form of any of the containers 58 hereinbefore described or alternatively, may take the form of the preferred construction shown in FIG. 10 wherein a storage container, generally designated by the numeral 190 is shown as comprising a generally vertically disposed back member 192 which is connected at the lower edge thereof to a generally horizontally arranged bottom member 194. The back member 192 includes a pair of openings 196 formed in a pair of upstanding leg sections 198 which are intended to cooperate with suitable mounting elements (not shown) such as the aforedescribed dowel or rodshaped mounting elements 56, in securing the container 190 to the associated door. As will be appreciated, the container 190 may be used merely as a storage shelf in the form depicted in FIG. 10, or if desired, one or more partition members, such as the member 204, may be operatively associated with the back and bottom members 192, 194 in providing a partitioned shelf. By way of example, openings 200 and 202 may be formed in the members 194 and 192, respectively, and adapted for cooperation with complementary-shaped lugs or bosses 206 on the partition member 204 for securing the latter in place. If desired, multiple partition members may be utilized when necessary.

If it is desired to convert the container 190 to a partially enclosed container, an enclosure member, such as is designated by the numeral 208, may be operatively associated with the members 192, 194. The enclosure member 208 includes a front or forward side 210 and opposed end portions 212 and 214. The enclosure member 208 is adapted to be surmounted upon the bottom member 194 for providing a partially enclosed container, with downwardly directed lugs or bosses 216 being receivable within complementary-shaped openings 218 in the bottom member 194 and rearwardly directed hooks or the like 222 on the enclosure member 218 being operatively received within suitable recesses or openings 220 on the leg portions 198. If desired, a suitable dust cover member or the like 224 may be operatively associated with the members 192, 194 and 208 for providing a totally enclosed container. Such a cover member 224 may be provided with lugs or bosses 226 which are cooperative with complementary-shaped bores or openings 228 for securing and properly orienting the cover member 224.

Alternatively, a pair of end members 250, 252 may be located at the opposite ends of the container 190 and be secured therein in the same manner as the aforementioned end portions 212, 214 of the enclosure member 208. A plurality of dove-tailed or other suitably shaped slots 254 and 256 may be provided in the members 192, 194 for cooperating with a front plate or side member 258 in supporting one or more partition members, such as the member 204. As will be appreciated, the aforementioned bosses and boss receiving recesses or bores may, for certain applications, be eliminated by properly designing the edges of the partition member(s) 204 to slide into the slots 254, 256. The container 190 consisting of the members 192, 194 and end members 250, 252 may be enclosed by a suitable dust cover or closure member 260 which may, if desired, be transparent to permit viewing of the interior of the container. Suitable securing means, such as fastening bosses or the like (not shown) may be cooperative with the openings 218, etc., in operatively securing the dust cover 260 in place.

The various members 192, 194, 204, 208, 224, 250, 252, 258 and 260 are preferably fabricated of a molded plastic material or the like and are adapted to provide universality of application by standardizing as many component parts of the storage containers 190 as possible yet provide maximum versatility for storing articles of different sizes and shapes. With the arrangement described above, it is possible to provide a storage system consisting merely of a plurality of shelves and to later convert such shelves to storage containers (either partially or totally enclosed) through the utilization of additional members 208, 204, 224, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiments of the invention disclosed are well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.