Patent ID: 8162159
Filing Date: 2012-04-24
Classification: A47B,B66F,E04H

Abstract:
1. A modular storage system for a ceiling structure of a building, comprising: a storage platform having a storage chamber, a front opening, a rear portion, left and right sides, and a base including left and right side lower support rails, said left side lower support rail including a left side lower support rail slider slidably connected to said left side lower support rail and a left side lower support rail bracket connected to said left side lower support rail, and said right side lower support rail including a right side lower support rail slider slidably connected to said right side lower support rail and a right side lower support rail bracket connected to said right side lower support rail; a left side upper support rail mounted to the ceiling structure of a building, said left side upper support rail including a left side upper support rail slider slidably connected to said left side upper support rail and a left side upper support rail bracket connected to said left side upper support rail; a right side upper support rail mounted to the ceiling structure of the building, said right side upper support rail including a right side upper support rail slider slidably connected to said right side upper support rail and a right side upper support rail bracket connected to said right side upper support rail; a left side truss pair of link members including first and second link members each having upper and lower ends, said upper end of said first link member being pivotally connected to said left side upper support rail slider, said lower end of said first link member being pivotally connected to said left side lower support rail bracket, said upper end of said second link member being pivotally connected to said left side upper support rail bracket, and said lower end of said second link member being pivotally connected to said left side lower support rail bracket; a right side truss pair of link members including first and second link members each having upper and lower ends, said upper end of said first link member being pivotally connected to said right side upper support rail slider, said lower end of said first link member being pivotally connected to said right side lower support rail bracket, said upper end of said second link member being pivotally connected to said right side upper support rail bracket, and said lower end of said second link member being pivotally connected to said right side lower support rail bracket; and a retraction system configured to move said storage platform between a lowered position and a raised position, said retraction system including a housing, a drive mechanism in said housing connected between one of said left and right side upper support rail sliders and a corresponding one of said left and right side upper support rail brackets, and a rotatable crank connected to said drive mechanism and configured to operate said drive mechanism to move said storage platform between said lowered position and said raised position; wherein said rotatable crank is configured to be rotated clockwise and counterclockwise to move the storage platform between said lowered position and said raised position; wherein a handle is removably connectable to said rotatable crank; wherein said rotatable crank is configured to be rotated clockwise and counterclockwise to move the storage platform between said lowered position and said raised position; wherein a handle is removably connectable to said rotatable crank.