US20040222177A1

US20040222177A1 - Vertically moving rack

Info

Publication number: US20040222177A1
Application number: US10/429,597
Authority: US
Inventors: Moti Shai
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-05-05
Filing date: 2003-05-05
Publication date: 2004-11-11

Abstract

A system and method for providing a vertically moving in closed loop storage for enabling a user safe, efficient and practical access to load and unload the products located on foldable carriers. The system enables the user full control over the height between the carriers, exact carriers stop location at an operator's comfortable access, locking and speed control systems while emphasizing safety and usability saving floor space and taking full advantage of the height of the storage building.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to improvements in devices for enabling a user a vertical storage and retrieval and controlling such systems to facilitate conveying vertically movable article storage carriers, carrying the same product, to an exact location at an operator's comfortable access while emphasizing safety and usability.

2. Description of the Related Art

The systems and the methods of the present invention are particularly useful for enabling efficient and effective vertical storage, of the same products, and for providing practical and floor space saving vertically conveying storage for increased usability.

A variety of systems and methods have been developed over the years for providing alternatives to a conventional storage structure which typically includes vertically driven closed loop chain conveyor to which a plurality of material or article carriers are pivotally connected while the conveyor is driven to establish any of the carriers at a location or locations where articles can be inserted or withdrawn from the carriers. Such alternative devices are known generally as Vertically Moving Rack.

It would be desirable to provide a vertically moving rack which will be more economical, efficient and will have increased usability, which can be readily assembled and disassembled with modular sections for enhanced expandability.

The system and the methods of the present invention are particularly useful for enabling safe, efficient and effective conveying vertically movable storage where the floor space in demand, while providing a practical and comfortable access to vertically stored items.

Therefore, the present invention provides improved systems and methods for providing an efficient and effective vertically movable rack. The inventions disclosed herein satisfy these and other needs, still further objects and advantages of these inventions will become apparent from a consideration of the drawing and ensuing description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly and in general terms, the present invention provides a new and improved system and method for providing the user safe, practical and very comfortable access to a storage carriers, carrying the same product. The present invention can also be configured to facilitate an economical and efficient system. In certain aspects, the present invention can provide increased expandability, by taking full advantage of the height of the storage place.

More particularly, for example, in an embodiment of the present invention, a vertically moving rack system is provided for enabling a user safe and comfortable access to the storage carriers controlling the exact location of individual carrier for increased usability. In one embodiment, the system includes manual locking control. Further, the system includes manual sliding adjustability control that based on the weight that placed on top of the carriers, pivotally rotating plurality of wheels, responsibly for holding and properly stretching rubber belt, which provide base for carriers that locked in their horizontal position caused by the weight that placed on them, these carriers can be folded up with help of the built-in spring, when they become empty, for better rotational move of the system. The system provides the exact and controllable location to stop the carriers providing safe and comfortable access to stored products.

The above objects and advantages of the present invention, as well as others, are described in greater details in the following description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing of illustrative embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of preferred embodiment of a Vertically Moving Rack. [0012]
FIG. 2 is a sectional perspective exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0013]
FIG. 3 is a side sectional exploded view of the preferred embodiment. [0014]
FIG. 4 is a side sectional exploded view of the top wheel with sliding adjustability control. [0015]
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the current invention, providing shelves as carriers for the given product. [0016]
FIG. 6 is a front view of the third embodiment, used for clothing hangers, can be manually locked at any position providing comfortable access to the hangers. [0017]
FIG. 7 is a top sectional view of the locking method used in the third embodiment. [0018]
FIG. 8 is a side view of the third embodiment, clearly displaying the handle for locking/unlocking method, with hangers shown in dashed lines. [0019]
FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of the locking method used in the third embodiment, clearly presenting the discs that lock or release the wire. [0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is directed to an improved system and method for providing a user safe and efficient conveying vertically movable storage and enabling the user to move storage carriers to an exact location at an operator's comfortable access while emphasizing safety and usability. The invention provides a Vertically Moving Rack, which takes full advantage of the height of the storage building and by that saving the flooring space. The system doesn't require any mechanical or electrical power. The system is easily installed and customized to support carriers for merchandises of different sizes and shapes. The preferred and other embodiments of the improved system and method are fully and detailed illustrated and described in the following paragraphs. [0021]
In the drawing, wherein like reference numerals denote like or corresponding parts throughout the drawing figures, and particularly in the preferred embodiments in accordance with the invention as shown in FIGS, [0022] 1-4, for example, a system 20 is provided for safe and efficient conveying vertically movable storage and enabling the user to move storage carriers to an exact location at an operator's comfortable access while emphasizing safety and usability, constituting a Vertically Moving Rack.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, in a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention, for example, the [0023] system 20 comprises two pivotally rotating wheels 100 and 101, located at the ends of the preferred embodiment. Rubber belt 104 or the like placed around these wheels 100 and 101 creating closed loop. Rubber belt 104 or the like has built-in peg loops 102, pegs 106 and peg pin 112, best shown in FIG. 2. Every peg 106, installed into the rubber belt 104, has a built-in spring 114, best shown in FIG. 3, to provide pivot tendency to lift itself up when it doesn't carry any weight, the end of the peg 106 is spiraled in to provide better sliding ability, through proper opening 111 in the belt 104, against vertical support board 108, when the peg 106 is installed and the rubber belt 104 if moving vertically down.
The [0024] system 20 further includes “L” shaped bracket 116, located by the bottom peg 106, best shown in FIG. 3, stops the carrier to be the first used by the customer. Top wheel 100 include a manual adjuster 120, best shown in FIG. 4, that controls the pressure on the friction plate 118 which in turn applies pressure on the top wheel 100 and by that controls the rotational speed of it which controls the speed of the whole system. Top wheel 100 further includes gearing wheel mold and die 122 and 124, shown in FIG. 4, which locked into the proper place to the wheel next to it to transfer the rotational movement to it, if required.
As illustrated in FIG. 5, in a second embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the system comprises two attached to each [0025] other rubber belts 210 placed on the cylindrical axis 208 to provide freedom of rotational movement. Rubber belts 210 provide a base for shelves 200 securely attached, by plurality of conventional means 212, to supporting pegs 204 that are easily installed, as shown in FIG. 2, into the rubber belts 210. This embodiment further includes stability and support plate 202 placed on the floor by plurality of conventional means 206. Conventional systems 22 keep this embodiment attached to the wall.
As illustrated in FIGS. 6-9, in a third embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the system comprises [0026] top wheel 326 providing a lead to the wire 324 or the like that cylindrical tube 309, which serve as a base for the whole system, moves on. Top wheel 326 attached to the ceiling, or to the wall, by conventional wheel holder 328, providing rotational freedom to the top wheel 326, which in turn attached to the movable plate 304 that constantly pooled up by conventional spring 302 which is connected to the base 300. The wire 324 attached by its edges to the top and the bottom of the cylindrical tube 309 by conventional means 306 and 310. The wire 324 is providing a movement to the cylindrical tube 309, which includes built-in hanger pins 308, when the wire 324 slides up or down. The tube 309 can be locked at any user controllable location by system 24, better shown in FIGS. 7 and 9.
As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8, the [0027] wire 324 at the bottom of the system is rotating around conventional bottom wheel 322 and its holder 318 which is attached to the floor and its holding and supporting “L” shaped plate 314 that provides leading holes to manually rotating screws 316 or the like and their springs 313 which purpose is to push vertical plate 312 towards octagon shaped wheel 320, which attached to and rotating with the bottom wheel 322, to control cylinder tube 309 sliding speed when its manually pooled down.
As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 9, at their sectional top and side views, the [0028] locking system 24 includes two horizontal “Partial Moon” shaped discs 400 and 408 while the wire 324 or the like is freely located at their opening side. The system 24 further includes horizontal round disc 402, located between two “Partial Moon” shaped discs 400 and 408, which has a hole 409, located towards the edge of the round disc 402, that the wire 324 go through. The locking system 24 further includes vertical manual trigger 404, pivotally attached to the top of the cylindrical tube 309 on its top end and to the spring base bracket 407, which pushes the round disc 402 inwards when the trigger 404 is hold, on its bottom end. Vertical trigger 404 pushed back, when it is release, by the built-in trigger spring 406.
Referring to FIGS. 1-4, in a method for the use of a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention, for example, the [0029] system 20 enables a user to slide down storage carrier pegs 106 to custom predefined location by placing “L” shaped bracket 116 at the custom and comfortable height. Pegs 106 that can be installed at different heights from each other using peg pins 112 and built-in peg loops 102, pushed to their horizontal position by the weight of the hanged product, vertical support board 108 keep loaded pegs 106 in their horizontal position. Pegs 106 pivotally pushed upward by built-in spring 114, when the peg become empty and by that it can bypass the “L” shaped bracket 116, this is when the user manually slide the system down until the next fully loaded peg 106 will be stopped by the “L” shaped bracket 116 providing easy and comfortable access to the stored product.
The structure of the [0030] support board 108, below “L” bracket 116, keeps empty pegs 106 in folded position. Every peg 106 carries the same product so there is no reason to pool the system down before the lower peg is empty. The speed and ease of pool are controlled by the steady friction plate 118 that pressed against rotating top wheel 100, by rotating manual adjuster 120, and by that controlling rotational freedom of the top wheel 100 and the whole system. Top wheel 100 include gearing wheel 122 that transfers the movement, through the corresponding gearing die wheel 124, and synchronizes the speed of the wheel next to it of another similar system, best usage for that is shown in FIG. 4. The end of each peg 106 is spiraled in to provide better sliding ability, through proper opening 111 in the belt 104, against vertical support board 108 and easy release from the “L” shaped bracket 116 when the peg 106 is folded up. The system has conventional means preventing from it rotating upwards.
Referring to FIG. 5, in a method for the use of a second embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the system provides shelve [0031] storage 200, for larger or heavier products, by attaching two similar rubber belts 210, working and performing conceptually the same task as the system described in FIGS. 1-4, together. Shelves 200 are secured by conventional means 212 and supporting pegs 204 from the bottom. The system is operating in closed loop while providing comfortable access from the front, at the controllable height, while the shelves 200 in their horizontal position. These shelves 200 are folded up to their vertical position when they at the back of the vertically rotating system. Conventional systems 22 keep this embodiment stable while it's attached to the wall. The system has conventional means preventing from it rotating upwards.
Referring to FIGS. 6-9, in a method for the use of a third embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the system provides the ability for efficient vertical clothing storage by including a [0032] cylindrical tube 309 moving vertically up and down operated manually by the user which include built-in hanger pins 308 comfortably accessible by the user for clothing storage.
The [0033] tube 309 internally guided by a through wire 324 or the like connected by its edges to the top and the bottom of the cylindrical tube 309 by conventional means 306 and 310. The wire 324 is looping around the top wheel 326 connected by conventional means to the ceiling, or to the wall, constantly pools the wire up using built-in spring 302, keeping the wire 324 properly tense.
The [0034] bottom leading wheel 322 connected by conventional means 318 to the floor which holds “L” shaped plate 314 that provides leading holes to manually rotating screws 316 or the like and their springs 313 which purpose is to push vertical plate 312 towards octagon shaped wheel 320, which attached to and rotating with the bottom wheel 322, to control cylinder tube 309 sliding speed, when the system is manually pooled down, that is determined by the weigh and the load of the system.
Referring to FIGS. 7 and 9, in a method for the use of a [0035] locking system 24, that provides manual lock and unlock of the vertically sliding system by manually squeezing vertical trigger 404 towards cylindrical tube 309. The wire 324, freely placed on the upper and lower “Partial Moon” shaped discs 400 and 408 and goes through the hole 409 located close to the edge of the middle round disc 402, get locked when the middle round disc 402 is pushing the wire 324 against upper and lower “Partial Moon” shaped discs 400 and 408 creating extreme “S” shape out of it, best shown in FIG. 9. The wire 324 get released when vertical trigger 404 moved towards the cylindrical tube 309, by that pushing round disc 402 that brings the hole 409 to the center, so wire 324 can travel freely and now the user can easily adjust the height of the system. Built-in trigger spring 406 attached to the trigger 404 in one end and the spring base bracket 407, which steadily attached to the inner side of cylindrical tube 309, on the other end is responsible to place the trigger 404 to its native position, by pushing the trigger 404 against the spring base bracket 407.
In accordance with the present invention, the particular embodiments set forth above for the [0036] system 20 are capable of providing a vertically moving rack for enabling a user safe, efficient, and practically movable vertical storage carriers manually controlling the exact location of individual carrier for increased usability, as well as great deal of floor space saving while taking full advantage of the storage building height. However, other forms of the system 20 may be utilized with the present invention without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. Based on the present disclosure, other constructions and applications are known to one skilled in the art.
In view of the above, it is apparent that the system and method of the preferred embodiments of the present invention enhance substantially the practicality and effectiveness of enabling a user economical and efficient movable in a closed loop vertical storage. The system and the method further enable simple and convenient storage carrier height adjustability, system lock and rotational speed control. [0037]
While the present invention has been described in connection with the specific embodiments identified herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many alternatives, modifications and variations are possible in light of the above description. Accordingly, the invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention disclosed herein. [0038]

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An improved device, providing a user vertically driven closed loop storage, enabling the user efficient load and unload of the products while providing full control over the height between the carriers, exact carriers stop location at an operator's comfortable access, and speed control systems while emphasizing safety and usability saving floor space and taking full advantage of the height of the storage building, said device comprising:

(a) a rubber belt used as a vertically rotating closed loop providing the base of said device;

(b) a pair of wheels located at the top and bottom of said device, providing the lead and the guide of said rubber belt;

(c) means for manual control over rotational speed of said device;

(d) plurality of article storage carriers to be attached to said device;

(e) means for easy and custom assembly of said carriers to said rubber belt of said device;

(f) means for exact said carriers stop location of said device;

(g) means for transferring rotational movement from said device to the one next to it;

(h) means for preventing from said device to be rotated in opposite direction;

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for manual control over rotational speed comprises a friction plate, secured to the top wheel, adapted to frictionally engage rotating top wheel, increasing the pressure on it, upon user rotation of the manual adjuster in one direction, and to separate it the top wheel upon user rotation of the adjuster in the other direction.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said manual adjuster is a conventional screw like attached to said friction plate, so by manually rotating it said friction plate will move towards said top wheel.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of article storage carriers are conventional, easily installable, pegs for the hangable products.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for easy and custom assembly comprises a plurality of built-in, into said rubber belt, peg loops to provide easy assembly of said pegs to the said device.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein said easy assembly of said pegs is done by assembling said pegs to said built-in peg loop by conventional peg pins.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for exact said carriers stop location of said device comprises of “L” shaped bracket, built-in into vertical support board.

8. The device of claim 4, wherein said pegs have a built-in spring to fold said peg up when it is become empty, by pivotally pushing said peg up against said rubber belt.

9. The device of claim 4, wherein said pegs have a spiral ends providing ability to slide over said “L” shaped bracket when said peg is folded up by said built-in spring when said peg becomes empty.

10. The device of claim 7, wherein said vertical support board is a conventional board that serves as a support for the said pegs spiral ends to keep said pegs in their horizontal position, and to keep empty said pegs in their folded position as soon as they pass said “L” shaped bracket.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for transferring rotational movement from said device to the one next to comprises of mold-shaped gearing wheel.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein said means for transferring rotational movement further comprises of die-shaped gearing wheel located on the similar said system next to the present one, providing a shelter to said mold-shaped gearing wheel of said current system.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein said means for preventing from said device to be rotated in opposite direction is a conventional means that allow the customer only to slide down said device.

14. An improved device, providing a user vertically driven closed loop shelving storage, enabling the user efficient load and unload of the products while providing full control over the height between the shelves, exact shelves stop, and rotational speed control systems while saving floor space and taking full advantage of the height of the storage building, said device comprising:

(a) plurality of rubber belts used as a vertically rotating closed loop providing the base of said device;

(b) plurality of wheels located at the top and bottom of said device, providing the lead and the guide of said rubber belts;

(c) means for manual control over rotational speed of said device;

(d) plurality of shelves to attached to said device;

(e) means for easy and custom assembly of said shelves to said rubber belts of said device;

(f) means for exact said shelves stop location of said device;

(g) means for transferring rotational movement between said rubber belts of said device;

(h) means for preventing from said device to be rotated in opposite direction;

15. An improved device, providing a user vertically driven clothing storage, attached to the ceiling, or to the wall, and the floor, enabling the user efficient load and unload of the clothing while providing full control over the height between the carriers, custom carriers stop location at an operator's comfortable access, speed control and locking systems while emphasizing safety and usability saving floor space and taking full advantage of the height of the storage building, said device comprising:

(a) a cylindrical tube used for vertical sliding providing the base of said device;

(b) plurality of storage carriers built-in into said cylindrical tube of said device;

(c) wire that goes trough said cylindrical tube providing the guide and the lead of said device;

(d) means to lock and unlock said cylindrical tube at any custom location providing comfortable access to the clothing stored on said device;

(e) means to hold, to guide and to stretch said wire from the top of said device;

(f) means to hold and to guide said wire from the bottom of said device;

(g) means for manual control over rotational speed of said device;

16. The device of claim 15, wherein said means to lock and unlock said cylindrical tube comprises partially tubular, or the like, member providing a vertical manual trigger, serves as a trigger of said lock system, when manually pooled towards said cylindrical tube, while the top of it is pivotally connected to the top of said cylindrical tube.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein said means to lock and unlock said cylindrical tube further comprises “Partial Moon” shaped, horizontally placed, discs attached to the inner side of said cylindrical tube, providing a guide for said wire.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein said means to lock and unlock said cylindrical tube further comprises horizontally movable round disc, located between said “Partial Moon” shaped discs in a sandwich manner, with the built-in hole that said wire go through, when said trigger is released round disc moves aside and by that stretching said wire forming a “S” shape which prevents said cylindrical tube from moving vertically.

19. The device of claim 15, wherein said means to lock and unlock said cylindrical tube further comprises a trigger spring, located between the movable end of said trigger and the spring base bracket, steadily attached to the inner side of said cylindrical tube, responsible to place said trigger to its native position, by pushing said trigger against spring base bracket.

20. The device of claim 15, wherein means to hold, to guide and to stretch said wire of said device is a conventional method of stretching said wire while providing repeatable movements of said tubular member.