Abstract:
A configurable personal storage locker having internal storage components that can be selectively removed and replaced depending upon user requirements. The personal storage locker includes spaced first and second side panels that each include internal hanging receivers that receive mounting tabs formed on the storage components. The storage components can be selectively placed at desired vertical heights within the storage locker to modify the internal configuration of the personal storage locker. Each personal storage locker includes a wiring bracket that allows the personal storage lockers to be daisy-chain connected to supply electrical power to each of the lockers while requiring only a single connection to an external power source. The personal storage locker can include a horizontal work surface that extends from the front edge of the personal storage locker and receives a drawer to provide additional enclosed storage space.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application is based on and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/143,065 filed on Jan. 7, 2009. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present disclosure generally relates to a storage unit, such as a personal storage locker. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a personal storage locker that can be easily configured for specific use by an individual locker occupant. 
         [0003]    Personal storage lockers are typically positioned within a locker or dressing room for personnel, such as for use by military, police, fire departments, hospitals, schools and universities. Since the needs of the locker occupant can change and various different personnel may have different storage requirements, it is desirable that the individual personal storage lockers can be configured for each specific occupant. Further, since the needs of the locker occupants may change or the individual locker occupants may either be reassigned or moved to different locations within the facility, it is desirable that the personal storage locker can be easily configured. 
         [0004]    Typically, multiple personal storage lockers will be positioned side-by-side to form a locker array or bank. Since a large number of lockers may be positioned adjacent to each other, it is desirable to be able to modify the configuration of each locker individually without requiring lockers to be removed from the bank. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present disclosure relates to a personal storage locker that can be configured for use by an individual locker occupant. The personal storage locker can be positioned in a side-by-side relationship to create a locker bank where each of the individual personal storage lockers can be readily configured based upon the occupants assigned to each locker. 
         [0006]    The personal storage locker includes a locker frame having first and second side panels, a back panel and a top panel that extends between the first and second side panels to define an internal locker cavity. The interior surface of each of the spaced side panels include a series of spaced hanging receivers that allow various storage components to be selectively positioned within the locker cavity. Preferably, each of the storage components includes mounting tabs that are received in the hanging receivers such that the storage components can be easily moved and supported within the locking cavity through the interaction between the mounting tabs and the hanging receivers. 
         [0007]    The individual storage components received and retained within the locker cavity can take many different forms, such as but not limited to a full length shelf, a weapons shelf, a locking drawer, a multiple hook bracket, a file shelf and hanging rod, a perforated shelf, a lower shelf including a rubber mat, a file storage component, a series of drawers and a modular cell unit having a locking door for securing valuable items. The individual storage components can be removed and replaced within any of the series of personal storage lockers positioned in the locker bank. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, the personal storage locker includes a drawer housing that is mounted to the lower end of the personal storage locker and extends from the spaced first and second side panels. The drawer housing includes a planar work surface and receives a drawer that can extend inward and outward relative to the side panels. The planar work surface can be used as a seat or bench by the locker occupant. The drawer is mounted for movement relative to the first and second side panels and the drawer housing and is received within the lower end of the personal storage locker in a retracted position. 
         [0009]    In one contemplated embodiment, the personal storage locker includes a modular wiring system that is mounted to each of the personal storage lockers. The modular wiring system is received within a knockout formed in the personal storage locker and connects a receptacle of the wiring system to the electrical wiring contained within the personal storage locker. The receptacle of the modular wiring system is connected to a bracket having a series of connecting plugs. The connecting plugs of adjacent storage lockers can be electrically connected to each other such that electrical power can flow between adjacent lockers. One of the modular wiring systems is connected to a power supply to supply power to the entire locker bank. In this manner, only a single hardwire connection to the power supply is required for the entire locker bank. 
         [0010]    Various other features, objects and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the disclosure. In the drawings: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of five personal storage lockers positioned next to each other and each uniquely configured for each locker occupant; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 2A-2R  are illustrations of alternate external configurations for the personal storage locker of the present disclosure; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the lockers shown in  FIG. 1  illustrating the different components mounted within the individual lockers; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4A  is an exploded view showing the mounting of a large, perforated shelf at a desired horizontal storage location; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4B  illustrates the specific mounting configuration used to secure the items within the storage locker; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4C  is an exploded view of one type of component mounted within the personal storage locker; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4D  is a magnified view of a mounting hook; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of the personal storage locker including an extended bench and drawer; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5B  is an exploded view of the personal storage locker configured as shown in  FIG. 5A ; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a partial perspective view illustrating the electrical connections between adjacent personal storage lockers. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]      FIG. 1  illustrates a plurality of individual personal storage lockers  10  positioned side-by-side to form a locker array or bank. Each of the individual personal storage lockers  10  is formed from a first side panel  12  and a second side panel  14  that are spaced from each other to define a generally open locker cavity  16 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the locker cavity  16  is defined at an upper end by a top panel  18  and at a lower end by a bottom panel  20 . Each of the personal storage lockers  10  extends from a front edge  22  to a back edge  24  that are each defined by surfaces of the spaced side panels  12 ,  14 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , a back panel  26  is connected to the back edge  24  to close the back portion of the locker cavity  16 . However, it should be understood that the back panel  26  could be eliminated when the series of personal storage lockers  10  are mounted to a wall, in which the wall would enclose the back of the locker cavity  16 . 
         [0023]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the first three personal storage lockers  10  on the left each include a door  28  that can selectively close the locker cavity  16 . Each door  28  can include a locking mechanism  30  that engages a latch formed on the side panel  12  such that the equipment and personal items stored within the locker cavity  16  can be secured. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the locker bank formed by the series of personal storage lockers  10  are utilized by a military unit and may be used to store firearms  32  and other dangerous equipment such that the locking mechanisms  30  provides for additional security. 
         [0024]    The first and second side panels  12 ,  14  of each of the personal storage lockers  10  includes a series of hanging receivers  34  that extend from the inner surface  36 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the hanging receivers  34  are configured in spaced pairs at various different vertical heights along the spaced first and second side panels  12 ,  14 . The hanging receivers  34  allow various different storage components to be selectively positionable within the locker cavity. Throughout the remaining disclosure, the term “storage component” is meant to refer to the various types of storage devices that can be removably mounted within the locker cavity. As an illustrative example, the five personal storage lockers  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1  include a full length shelf  38 , a weapons shelf  40 , a locking drawer  42 , an adjustable three hook bracket  44 , a combined file shelf and hanging rod  46 , a perforated shelf  48 , a lower shelf including a rubber mat  50 , bin storage component  52 , a series of drawers  53  and a modular cell unit  54  having a door  56  with a separate locking member  58  that can secure items  60  within an internal lockbox formed within the locker cavity  16 . Various other storage components can be utilized while operating within the scope of the present disclosure. As will be understood by the description below, the hanging receivers  34  allow the various different storage components to be selectively positioned and removed from within the locker cavity  16 . The configurability of the personal storage lockers  10  allows each of the lockers  10  to be configured for the specific occupant. 
         [0025]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the interior surface  62  of the door  28  includes a series of mounting holes  64  that allow various components, such as mounting hooks  66 , a document holder  68  and a mounting clip  70  to be selectively positioned along the interior surface  62 . Once again, the series of mounting holes  64  allow each of the personal storage lockers  10  to be selectively configured for the specific personnel utilizing the locker. 
         [0026]    In addition to the various internal configurations possible,  FIGS. 2A-2R  generally disclose various different external configurations for the personal storage locker  10 . Although these Figures show different configurations for the exterior of the personal storage locker  10 , it should also be understood that in addition to the external configurations, the internal configuration of the locker cavity for each personal storage locker can also be configured in an infinite number of manners depending upon the specific locker occupant. 
         [0027]      FIG. 2A  illustrates an embodiment in which the personal storage locker  10  includes a single door  72  that extends the entire height of the locker  10  from the top panel  18  to the bottom panel  20 . The door  72  includes a series of ventilation openings  74 , as illustrated. 
         [0028]      FIG. 2B  illustrates a configuration for the personal storage locker  10  in which the locker includes a pair of side-by-side opening doors  76  that also extend from the top panel  18  to the bottom panel  20 . Each door  76  also includes vents  74 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 2C  illustrates an embodiment of the personal storage locker having a door  78  that extends from the top panel  18  to a lower support shelf  80 . A drawer  82  is mounted beneath the lower support shelf  80 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 2D  is similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 2C  except that the single door  78  is replaced by a pair of doors  84 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 2E  illustrates an embodiment in which a drawer housing  86  is positioned at the lower end of the personal storage locker  10 . In this embodiment, a drawer  88  extends through both the drawer housing  86  and the lower portion of the locker cavity defined by the spaced side panels  12 ,  14 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 2F  is similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 2E  except that the single door  78  is replaced by the pair of adjacent doors  84 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 2G  illustrates an embodiment in which the personal storage locker  10  is configured to have a locking upper compartment and a locking lower compartment. The upper and lower compartments are each accessed through a locking door  90 . In such an embodiment, different individuals could share a single personal storage locker  10  and have access to only their locker through the locking mechanism  92  formed on each of the doors  90 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 2H  is similar to  FIG. 2G  except that the personal storage locker  10  is configured to define three separate locking compartments each having a separate door  90  and locking mechanism  92 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 2I  illustrates an embodiment having four separate locking compartments each having their own door  90  and locking mechanism  92 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 2J  is similar to  FIG. 2A  except that the door  94  includes enhanced ventilation areas  96 . The enhanced ventilation areas  96  allows clothing and other equipment contained within the personal storage locker  10  to dry quicker as compared to the embodiment of  FIG. 2A . Additionally, the ventilation areas  96  allow the contents of the locker  10  to be viewed when the door  94  is closed. This feature is particularly desirable when locker inspection is required as part of training, such as in the military. 
         [0037]      FIG. 2K  is similar to  FIG. 2J  except that the single door  94  is replaced by a pair of doors  98  each having the enhanced ventilation areas  96 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 2L  illustrates an embodiment having the door  94  with the enhanced ventilation areas  96  and utilized with the drawer  82  similar to  FIG. 2C . 
         [0039]      FIG. 2M  is similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 2I  except that the single door  94  has been replaced by the pair of doors  98 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 2N  illustrates an embodiment similar to  FIG. 2E  in which the drawer housing  86  is mounted to the lower end of the locker  10 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 2O  is similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 2N  except that the single door  94  is replaced by the pair of doors  98 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 2P  illustrates an embodiment similar to  FIG. 2G  except that the doors  90  have been replaced by doors  100  having enhanced ventilation areas  102 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 2Q  is similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 2H  in which the doors  100  include the enhanced ventilation areas  102 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 2R  is similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 2I  in which the doors  100  also include the enhanced ventilation areas  102 . 
         [0045]    As can be understood by the various embodiments shown in  FIGS. 2A-2R , the personal storage locker  10  can be configured with many different external configurations, including the number of doors, type of ventilation in the doors, and the use of a storage drawer near the lower end of the locker  10 . Further, various different locking mechanisms can be utilized with the doors, as shown. In addition to these embodiments,  FIG. 1  also illustrates that each of the personal storage lockers could be configured without having any door and providing easy access to the locker cavity. In each of the embodiments, the side panels  14 ,  16  remain in the same position and each include the hanging receivers  34  that allow the internal components to be mounted as described. Thus, the personal storage locker system can be selectively configured both from an external perspective and internally within the locker cavity as desired by the occupant of the personal storage locker  10 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 3  illustrates the locker system  105  having many of the items stored within the locker removed from the positioned storage components. These personal articles of the locker occupant can include uniforms  104 , a file divider  106 , footwear  108 , documents  110 , body armor  112 , firearms  32  and  60 , as well as various different pieces of clothing, as illustrated. The file divider  106  is received on a shelf  107  having divider slots for receiving the divider  106 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , each of the personal storage lockers  10  includes a drawer  82  or  88  that can be retracted and extended from within the lower end of the personal storage locker  10 . As previously described, the various different storage components that can be supported within the locker cavity are each supported by the hanging receivers  34 . 
         [0047]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  provide additional details for the configuration of the hanging receivers  34 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4B , each of the hanging receivers  34  includes a protruding wall  114  that extends from the generally planar inner surface  36 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the curved wall  114  is stamped from the otherwise generally planar outer surface  116  to create an opening  118 . 
         [0048]    In  FIG. 4A , the perforated shelf  48  is shown mounted between the side panels  12 ,  14 . The perforated shelf  48  includes a generally planar support surface  120  that includes a series of ventilation openings  122 . The side edge of the support surface  120  includes a series of mounting tabs  124  each received within one of the hanging receivers  34 . As can be understood in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the perforated shelf  48  is positioned between the pair of spaced side panels  12 ,  14  and lowered until the mounting tabs  124  are received in the corresponding hanging receivers  34 . When the perforated shelf  48  is to be removed, the perforated shelf  48  is lifted upward to remove the mounting tabs  124  from the hanging receivers  34 . In a similar manner, various different storage components can be easily positioned within the personal storage lockers  10 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 4C  illustrates the three hook bracket  44 . The three hook bracket  44  also includes a pair of mounting tabs  124  formed on a back flange  126 . As described, each of the mounting tabs  124  are received within one of the hanging receivers  34  to support the three hook bracket  44 , as described. The three hook bracket  44  includes the series of mounting hooks  128 , as shown in  FIGS. 4C and 4D . Although mounting hooks  128  are shown, it should be understood that various other components could be mounted to the bracket  44  to support clothing or other equipment within the personal storage locker  10 . 
         [0050]    As can be understood in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the interaction between the mounting tabs  124  and the hanging receivers  34  allow the storage components to be selectively supported and removed from within the locker cavity. It is contemplated that each of the storage components contained within the locker cavity will include similar mounting tabs  124  that are received within the hanging receivers  34 . In this manner, various storage components, such as shelves, drawers, hanging rods and lockboxes can be selectively positioned and removed from within the locker cavity. 
         [0051]    Referring back to  FIG. 3 , the locker cavity  16  may also be provided with one or more modular cell units  54 . The modular cell unit  54  includes an upright divider  132  and one or more shelf members  134  that are connected to the upright divider  132 , preferably by one or more spot welds. In this regard, the upright divider  132  and the shelf members  134  form a single structure or subassembly that can be loaded as one unit into the locker interior. The cell unit  54  includes a top shelf  136  includes a pair of mounting tabs (not shown) on each end that are received within the hanging receivers  34 . The mounting tabs are drop loaded into a pair of the hanging receivers  34 . Thus, when the top shelf  136  is secured within the locker, the entire modular cell unit  54  is secured as one component. 
         [0052]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the modular cell unit  54  includes a lockbox  138  having the door  56  including the locking member  58 . In this manner, the lockbox  138  can be used to secure various items  60 , such as a firearm. The locking member  58  is separate form the lock for the door to provide additional security for the firearm stored within the lockbox  138 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 5A  illustrates the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2E  with the door  78  in an open position. As illustrated, the locker cavity  16  includes the modular cell unit  54  as previously described. The personal storage locker  10  further includes drawer  88 . The specific configuration of the drawer  88  and the drawer housing  86  will now be described with reference to  FIG. 5B . 
         [0054]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5B , the lower support shelf  80  is initially mounted within the locker cavity through the interaction between a series of mounting tabs formed on the lower support shelf and the hanging receivers  34 . The drawer  88  includes a box  140  that is mounted to slide mounts  142 . Drawer slides  144  are connected to the slide mounts  142  and are adapted to slide along the slides  146 , which are mounted to the side panels  12 ,  14  by a series of brackets. Drawer  88  has a front face  148  that is generally flush against the drawer housing  86  when the drawer  88  is in the fully retracted position. The drawer housing  88  allows the drawer box  140  to have a depth that is greater than the depth of the side panels  12 ,  14 . Instead, the drawer box  140  has a depth that is generally equal to the depth of the side panels  12 ,  14  and the depth of the drawer housing  86 . 
         [0055]    Drawer housing  86  defines a generally planar work surface  150  that the locker occupant may use as desired. As an example, the work surface  150  can be used as a foot rest or a seat, or to support other personal items when the locker is in use. 
         [0056]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5A , the top panel  18  includes a knockout  152  that can be removed to provide access to the electrical wiring contained within the personal storage locker. The electrical wiring contained within the personal storage locker allows power to be supplied to the personal storage locker  10  to allow the occupant to charge one or more electrical or electronic devices within the locker, such as shavers, radios, mobile or cellular phones, notebook computers, GPS devices, etc. Further, the power supplied to the personal storage locker  10  allows the locker to include ventilation fans, lights or other electrical devices. 
         [0057]      FIG. 6  illustrates the modular wiring system  154  utilized between the series of personal storage lockers  10  mounted in a side-by-side relationship. Each of the individual personal storage lockers  10  includes a duplex receptacle  156  that connects to the electrical wiring of the personal storage lockers through the knockout previously described. The duplex receptacle  156  is connected to a mounting bracket  158  having a pair of spaced mounting blocks  160 . Each of the mounting blocks  160  includes a series of female and male connectors  162 . The series of male and female connectors  162  allows the series of adjacent personal storage lockers  10  to be electrically connected to each other. 
         [0058]    As illustrated, a connecting wire  164  extends between adjacent personal storage lockers  10  and includes a plug  166  on each end. Likewise, a second connecting wire  164 A also including plug  166 A connects the next two personal storage lockers  10 . 
         [0059]    A main power supply wire  168  having plug  170  extends to a power supply connection  172  to provide power for the entire bank of lockers connected utilizing the modular wiring system  154 . In this manner, power can be connected to the bank of lockers utilizing only a single wire connection to the main power supply  172 . The use of the plug connections between adjacent lockers eliminates the need for an electrician to provide a power connection to each individual locker, as was previously required in previously available embodiments.