Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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STORAGE DEVICE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of storage devices. More
particularly, the invention relates to a storage device having improved
stability
with easy access from two opposing sides.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
in many work environments, two employees work in closely spaced
adjacent work areas. These works areas often include elements such a desk
or a meeting table. However, many times a worl';er needs additional space for
the storage of materials such books or papers. ~'Vhile two storage devices
such as traditional book shelves can be positionE:d adjacent each other such
that each user can place work objects therein, this configuration can involve
a
somewhat wasteful use of space if only one bookshelf is necessary. Yet, two
bookshelves have previously been necessary because they are not designed
to provide access from two opposing directions. Rather, traditional
bookshelves generally include a rear panel that prevents access to the
bookshelf from the rear. This rear panel is necessary to provide the bookshelf
with the required stability.
Therefore, there is a need for an improved storage device which has
the required stability while also being capable of being accessed from two
opposing directions. This storage device must also be capable of easy
assembly while being easily constructed in a cost-efficient manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an improved storage device that
provides easy access from two opposing sides while also capable of being
easily reconfigured and assembled.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, a storage device is
provided. The storage device includes two opposing side panels, a plurality of
shelves and a plurality of crossed support devicE;s. The plurality of shelves
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interconnect the side panels. The plurality of crossed support devices are
capable of being attached to one of a first opening and a second opening.
The first opening and the second opening are located opposite one another
and provide access to an interior cavity capable of supporting storage
materials.
According to another aspect of the invention, a storage device is
provided. The storage device includes two opposing side panels, a plurality of
shelves and a plurality of crossed support cables. The plurality of crossed
support cables are capable of being attached to one of a first opening and a
second opening. The first opening and the second opening are located
opposite one another and provide access to an interior cavity capable of
supporting storage materials. The cables can be; adjustably secured to impart
a tension to the side panels thereby providing an improved stability to the
storage device.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a storage device is
provided. The storage device includes two opposing side panels, a plurality of
shelves and a plurality of crossed support cables. The two opposing side
panels have a vertical channel extending along the ends thereof. A plurality
of shelves interconnect the side panels. A plurality of crossed support
devices are capable of being attached to one of a first opening and a second
opening. The first opening and the second opening are located opposite one
another and provide access to an interior cavity <;apable of supporting
storage.
The present invention, tagether with attendant objects and advantages,
will be best understood with reference to the detailed description below in
connection with the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a storage clevice constructed in
accordance with a first preferred embodiment;
FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view of the preferred embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 1;
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FIG. 3 is an exploded. view of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1
and 2;
FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the shelves and support cables in
accordance with a preferred embodiment;
FIG. 5 is an inner perspective view of a side panel in accordance with a
preferred embodiment;
FIG. 6 is a cross-section taken along the lines 6-6 of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a preferredi embodiment of an insert;
and
F1G. 7 is a partially broken away view of the preferred embodiment of
the cable connection assembly.
DETAILED DESCR1PT10N OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
F(G. 1 is an illustration of a storage device: 10 constructed in
accordance with a first preferred embodiment of 'the invention. It should be
recognized that the storage device 10 can be constructed in a wide variety of
sizes and alternate configurations without departing from the spirit of the
present invention. For example, while the storage device 10 illustrated in the
drawings includes four shelves and a top work surface, the present invention
may also be embodied with two, or three shelves. The present invention
could also be constructed without the top work surface. In addition, the
shelves may be constructed to have a wide variety of widths.
With reference to FIG. 1, storage device 10 is shown having feet 12.
The feet 12 are preferably manufactured from a thermoplastic polymer
material. In the alternative, the feet 12 could be constructed using casters
to
provide the storage device 10 with easier movability. The feet 12 are
connected to side panels 14. The feet 12 include: a threaded top portion that
is fit within a leg 16 extending from a lower portion 18 of the side panel 14.
The side panel 14 is preferably manufactured from a thermoplastic
polymer. A low-pressure gas assist molding press is preferably used.to
manufacture the side panels 14. The side panels 14 include a plurality of
vertically aligned pairs of apertures 20. The apertures 20 are adapted to
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receive an attachment portion of a utility piece, such as a paper tray. This
feature is particularly useful when the storage mE:mber 10 is positioned
adjacent the work surface of a user.
The side panels 14 include an inner side 30 that is best illustrated in
FIGS. 3 & 5. The inner side 30 includes a plurality of cris-crossed ribs 32
that
provide support the storage device 10. A plurality of spaced pairs of
horizontally extending ribs 34 extend intermittently between a top portion 40
and the lower portion 18 of the side panel 14. The horizontal ribs 34 include
end portions 44. A plurality of passageways 46 extend coaxialiy with the
apertures 20.
Inserts 50 are best illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. The inserts 50 are
positioned adjacent to each end portion 44 of the horizontal ribs 34. The
inserts 50 are molded into the side panel 12 duriing manufacture thereof.
There are two inserts 50 molded into each side ~>anel 14 at each tier such
that
four inserts 50 are adjacent each shelf 54. in the; preferred embodiment, the
insert 50 is formed from an alloy material and manufactured using a
permanent mold.
With particular reference to FIG. 6, the insert 50 includes a double
keyhole opening 60, a screw boss 62 and a utility hole 64. The double
keyhole opening 62 includes a central and generally circular opening 66 with
the narrow channels 68 extending above and beneath the circular opening 66.
The screw boss 62 includes an interior surface to receive a thread-cutting
screw (not shown). The utility hole 64 is a smoo~kh passageway adapted to
receive the attachment portion of a utility member that extends through a
coaxial aperture 20. The double keyhote openirng 60 serves as the
attachment point for the support cables 70.
The support cables 70 are best illustrated in FIGS 1-4, and 7. With
particular reference if FIG. 7, the support cables 70 include a first piece 72
and a second piece 74. At each end of each piece 72, 74, a rounded end
portion 76 is fixedly attached to the cable. The rounded end portion 76 is
preferably formed from an alloy material and die cast onto an end of the
cable. In the preferred embodiment, a steel wire body 80 interconnects the
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end portions 76. The length of the body 80 can be adjusted to suit the varying
widths of the storage devices 10 that can be constructed in accordance with
the present invention. The first piece 72 is approximately 4" long in the
preferred embodiment. The second piece 74 exi:ends the balance of the
5 length from the first side of the storage device 1 CI to the second side of
the
storage device 10.
A bullet-shaped connector 90 interconnects the first piece 72 and the
second piece 74. The connector 90 provides for a connection between the
first piece 72 and second piece 74. The connector 90 includes a first
member 92 having a threaded end 94 adapted to be received within the
second member 96. The first member 92 and second member 96 can rotate
with respect to the bodies 80 of the first piece 72 and the second piece 74.
The threaded end 94 is adapted to be screwed into a boss 98 within the
second member 96. As a result, the support cables 70 impart the required
stress to the storage device 10 to thereby improve its stability. The
connector 90 is preferably formed from cold rolled steel with a plated finish.
The first member 92 and the second member 96 are slid onto the cable during
manufacture thereof and retained by the end pontions 76.
Shelves 54 interconnect the side panels 1~4. Shelves 54 are preferably
manufactured from a steel material. The shelves 54 include a plurality of
apertures 102 as shown in FIG. 3. The apertures 102 provide the
passageway for screws (not shown) which pass i:hrough the shelves 54 and
into the screw bosses 62 within the inserts 50. !n this manner, the shelves 54
are attached to side panels 14 of the storage device 10. A second set of
apertures 104 are aligned with the utility holes 64~ for use with a utility
member. The shelves 54 include a ridge 106 that passes horizontally along
end portions 108 thereof. Support cables 70 are aligned with the ridges 106.
The ridge 106 can also be used as a mounting feature for a tool or prevent a
work object from being pushed off the shelf 54.
A top work surface portion 110 is illustrated in the FIGURES of this
preferred embodiment. The work surface 110 is .attached to the support
rods 112. The support rods 112 are mounted to aluminum mounting
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members 114 which are attached to an upper portion of the side panels 14.
The work surface 110 includes a bottom portion (having a steel plate 116
extending thereacross. The steel plate 116 is wE;lded to the support rods 112.
The steel plate 116 further includes additional openings that allow fasteners
to
passed into the work surface 110. The work suri~ace 110 can be constructed
from a wide variety of materials including wood.
The storage device 10 is assembled securing the shelves 54 to the
side panels 14 using screws which pass through apertures 102 into the screw
bosses 62 in the inserts 50. Feet 12 are securecl to the lower portion 18 of
the side pane! 14. The round end portions 76 of the cables 70 are fit within
the double keyhole opening 60 of the inserts 50, The body portion 80 passes
through one of the narrow channels 68. The firsl: member 92 are the second
member 96 are connected by threading the threaded end 94 into the boss 98.
The body portions 80 are sized such that when the first member 92 and the
second member 96 are screwed together that thc~ proper tension is imparted
to the storage device 10. The work surface 110 .is screwed to steel plate 116
which is welded to the support rods 112.
The storage device 10 is designed such that a user could remove the
support cables 70 from one opposing side of the storage device and reattach
the support cables 70 to an opposing side. The ;support cables 70 would then
be located on opposite sides of the storage device such that the storage
device 10 could be used by two workers in adjacent work spaces.
The embodiments described above and shown herein are illustrative
and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the claims
rather than by the foregoing description and attached drawings. The invention
may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of
the invention. For example, the storage device nnay be configured to provide
a wide variety of vertical and horizontal sizes without departing from the
claimed invention. Accordingly, these and any other changes which come
within the scope of the claims are intended to be embraced herein.
