Abstract:
The modular garage storage system includes a geared retraction system that allows a storage platform of the modular garage storage system to be lowered for easy access to loading and loading the storage platform, and that allows the storage platform to be raised up to be completely out of the way.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based upon Provisional Application No. 60/921,739, filed Apr. 4, 2007. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a movable storage system, and more particularly relates to a movable, modular storage system that attaches to the ceiling in a garage. The modular storage system can be lowered for easy access to items to be stored or removed from the storage system, and can be raised up by using a retraction system. 
     One conventional storage assembly that provides storage space below a garage ceiling includes metal ties extending through apertures of a ceiling panel and apertures of ceiling catching beams extending perpendicularly over rafters of the garage. Fasteners are attached to upper ends of the metal ties to secure the metal ties to the ceiling catching beams, and the lower ends of the metal ties extend to support shelf catching beams, and a shelf panel overlies the shelf catching beams. However, this type of storage assembly is not adjustable or movable between a lowered position and a raised position. 
     Another type of modular storage system includes a support rail mounted on a wall or ceiling, in a horizontal or vertical orientation, with slidably adjustable cantilevered hooks. Storage boxes fitted with a frame on the open side and a transparent hinged door may be hung from the hooks. While the position of the hooks can be adjusted, this type of storage system is also not readily movable between a lowered position for easy access to items to be stored or removed and a raised position for storage of the items in the storage assembly. 
     A pull-down display and storage device is known that is movable with respect to a fixed support having pivot apparatus interconnected between the fixed support and the movable member. The device may be lowered by pulling the device out and down from the fixed support, and balanced movement of the device is controlled by one or more springs. An assembly of pull-down, retractable stairs is also known, that is typically attached to a ceiling, and can be pulled down for access to an attic, and retracted so that the stairs assembly takes up little space below a ceiling. However, such pull-down assemblies typically will not support a load that is greater than is necessary to pull them down for access. 
     There is a need for a movable, modular storage system that attaches to the ceiling in a garage so that the modular storage system can be lowered for easy access to items to be stored or removed from the storage system and can be raised up by a retraction system that can support a load. The present invention fulfills these and other needs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly, and in general terms, the present invention provides for a modular garage storage system for a ceiling structure of a building having a geared retraction system that allows a storage platform of the modular garage storage system to be lowered for easy access to loading and loading the storage platform, and that allows the storage platform to be raised up to be completely out of the way. 
     In a presently preferred aspect, the modular garage storage system includes left and right side upper support rails adapted to be mounted to the ceiling structure of a building, 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. The storage platform is supported by left and right side truss pairs of link members from upper support rails. The left side truss pair of link members has an upper end connected to a left side upper support rail, and a lower end connected to the left side lower support rail, and the right side truss pair of link members has an upper end connected to a right side upper support rail, and a lower end connected to the right side lower support rail. A geared retraction system is connected between the upper ends of one of the left and right side truss pairs of link member at one of the left and right side upper support rails for raising and lowering the storage platform. In one presently preferred aspect, the storage platform includes a left upright side wall, a rear upright side wall, and a right upright side wall joined to the base. In another aspect, the left side lower support rail is located on the inside of the left side wall, and the right side lower support rail is located on the inside of the right side wall. 
     In another presently preferred aspect, the left side truss pair of link members includes a first link member having upper and lower ends and a second link member having upper and lower ends. The first and second link members are pivotally connected at a central pivot point, the upper end of the first link member of the left side truss pair is slidably and pivotally connected to the left side upper support rail, and the lower end of the first link members of the left side truss pair is pivotally connected to the left side lower support rail. Similarly, the right side truss pair of link members includes a first link member having upper and lower ends, and a second link member having upper and lower ends. The first and second link members are pivotally connected together at a central pivot point, the upper end of the first link member of the right side truss pair is slidably and pivotally connected to the right side upper support rail, and the lower end of the first link member of the right side truss pair is pivotally connected to the right side lower support rail. 
     In another presently preferred aspect, the upper end of the first link member of the left side truss pair of link members is slidably and pivotally connected by a slider to the left side upper support rail, the lower end of the first link member of the left side truss pair of link members is pivotally connected to the left side lower support rail, the upper end of the first link member of the right side truss pair of link members is slidably and pivotally connected by a slider to the right side upper support rail, and the lower end of the first link members of the right side truss pair of link members is pivotally connected to the right side lower support rail. 
     The geared retraction system typically includes a housing and a rotatable crank that can be rotated clockwise and counterclockwise to move the storage platform between a lowered position and a raised position, and a handle is removably connectable to the crank for operation of the geared retraction system. 
     These and other forms of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description and from the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective diagram of the modular garage storage system of the invention installed in a ceiling of a garage, showing the modular garage storage system in a lowered position. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the modular garage storage system of  FIG. 1 , illustrating movement of the modular garage storage system between a lowered position and a raised position by a removable handle. 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the modular garage storage system of  FIG. 1 , illustrating the modular garage storage system in a raised position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The modular garage storage system  10  is typically formed of metal, and includes a storage platform  12  having front opening  14 , a rear portion  16 , a left side  18  and a right side  20 , a horizontal base  22 , and at least three upright side walls joined to the base, including a left side wall  24 , a rear side wall  26 , and a right side wall  28  defining a storage chamber  30 . 
     Left side and right side truss pairs  32 ,  34  of link members are connected to the left and right sides of the storage platform. The left side truss pair includes a first link member  36  having an upper end  38  and a lower end  40 , and a second link member  42  having an upper end  44  and a lower end  46 . The first and second link members of the left side truss pair are pivotally connected together at a central pivot point  47 . The right side truss pair similarly includes a first link member  48  having an upper end  50  and a lower end  52 , and a second link member  54  having an upper end  56  and a lower end  58 . The first and second link members of the right side truss pair are pivotally connected together at a central pivot point  59 . 
     The upper end of the first link member of the left side truss pair is slidably and pivotally connected by a slider  60  to a left side upper support rail  62 , and the lower end of the first link member of the left side truss pair is pivotally connected by a bracket  61  to a left side lower support rail  64  on the left side of the storage platform. The upper end  44  of the second link member  42  is pivotally connected by a bracket  61  to the left side upper support rail, and the lower end  46  of the second link member  42  is slidably and pivotally connected by a slider to the left side lower support rail. Similarly the upper end  50  of the first link member  48  of the right side truss pair is slidably and pivotally connected by a slider to a right side upper support rail  66 , and the lower end of the first link member of the right side truss pair is pivotally connected by a bracket to a right side lower support rail  68  on the right side of the storage platform. Similarly, the upper end  56  of the second link member  54  of the right side truss pair is pivotally connected by a bracket  61  to the right side upper support rail, and the lower end  58  of the second link member  54  of the right side truss pair is slidably and pivotally connected by a slider to the right side lower support rail. Typically, the left side lower support rail is located on the inside of the left side wall, and the right side lower support rail is located on the inside of the right side wall. The left and right side upper support rails are preferably mounted to ceiling joists  70  of a ceiling  72  of a building such as a garage  74 , for example. 
     A geared retraction system  80  is connected to the sliders at one of the upper support rails, such as the left side upper support rail as is illustrated, for example. The geared retraction system includes a housing  82 , including a rotatable crank  84  for operating an internal drive mechanism connected to the slider  60  and bracket  61  connected to the upper ends of the first and second link members of the left side truss pair of link members to move the storage platform between a lowered position, illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and a raised position, illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The rotatable crank typically includes a loop or hook portion  86  to which a removable handle, such as an articulated rotable removable handle  88 , may be attached for operation of the geared retraction system. As is illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the handle and crank can be rotated clockwise and counterclockwise to move the storage platform between the lowered position and the raised position. 
     The modular garage storage system typically holds at least a 200-lb. payload, and is typically constructed in four foot by four foot sections with a storage platform approximately 18 inches deep, to provide approximately 24 cubic feet of storage. When mounted to a standard garage ceiling approximately eight feet above a floor, and when the storage platform is lowered, the modular garage storage system typically provides approximately 76 inches of under storage clearance. 
     It will be apparent from the foregoing that, while particular forms of the invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.