Portable modular storage support device

A modular storage support device supports items suspended above a floor. The device rests upon the floor and comprises a vertical member extending upwardly which has an upper end and a lower end. A base member has a base vertical portion which receives the lower end of the vertical member and a U-shaped portion which is oriented perpendicular to the vertical member. The U-shaped portion has two leg portions extending laterally with respect to the sides thereof. Two L-shaped support legs are received in one of the leg portions and extend forward therefrom. A foot portion extends downwardly from each of the L-shaped support legs to rest upon a floor. An L-shaped wall brace is received within the upper end of the vertical member and extends upwardly and then rearwardly from vertical member to engage a vertical wall. One or more supports are sildably secured to the vertical member and the upwardly extending section of the L-shaped wall brace. Each of the one or more supports have at least one support arm being mounted thereto. Each of the at least one support arms is parallel to, shorter than and positioned between the support legs and engages an item for support of said item.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates in general to a modular storage support device, and, and, more particularly, to a portable device having a modular format which is easily transported and assembled.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many individuals prefer to store items off the floor to minimize space requirements and the like. However, most such storage devices require permanent installation which may be impractical or undesirable as in an hotel apartment or condominium setting. In addition, most such structures have a particular configuration which cannot be altered as an individual's needs change. Thus, it is desirable to have a support structure which is easily assembled, portable, and does not demand permanent structure, and, when disassembled, takes up only minimal space. Further, another desireable feature is a modular nature to allow such support structures to be easily customized for a particular user and altered as that user's needs change over time.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,820 entitled “Portable Storage Support Structure” which issued on Jul. 1, 1997 to Angeles discloses a bicycle support structure adapted for resting on a floor and leaning against a wall.

U.S. Pat. No. 615,995 entitled “Bicycle Support” which issued on Dec. 13, 1898 to Leonard shows a free standing bicycle support having several sets of arms K extending from a vertical pole F. Hooks P are at the end of the arms K.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,222,707 entitled “Portable Bicycle Repair Stand” which issued on Jun. 29, 1993 to Myers shows a portable bicycle repair stand which may be attached to a vertical surface via suction cup devices23.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,981,491 entitled “Work Stand For Bicycles” which issued on Sep. 21, 1976 to Snyder provides a free standing work stand for bicycles comprising a vertical support assembly with angular feet14.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,477,789 entitled “Shelf Structure” which issued on Dec. 26, 1995 to Von Gunten shows a shelf structure supported on a floor and against a wall with no mechanical connections between a post and the wall or floor.

None of the known prior art disclose the device set forth herein

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a modular support structure which is easily assembled, portable, and does not demand permanent structure.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a modular support structure which is easily disassembled and, when disassembled, takes up minimal space.

It is still another object to provide a modular support structure which is modular in nature thereby allowing users to easily customize a structure and to alter the structure as that user's needs change over time.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize this invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A modular storage support device10supports differing items suspended above a floor12. Device10rests upon floor12and comprises a vertical member l6extending upwardly which has an upper end18and a lower end20. A base member22has a base vertical portion21which receives lower end20of vertical member16and a U-shaped portion23which is oriented perpendicular to vertical member16. U-shaped portion23has two leg portions27extending laterally with respect to the sides thereof. Two L-shaped support legs30are received in a respective one of leg portions27and extend forward therefrom. A foot portion36extends downwardly from each L-shaped support leg30to rest upon floor12. An L-shaped wall brace40is received within upper end18of vertical member16and extends upwardly and then rearwardly from vertical member16to engage a vertical wall14. One or more supports49are slidably secured to vertical member16and upwardly extending section of L-shaped wall brace40. Each of the one or more supports49have at least one arm51being mounted thereto. Each of the at least one arms51is parallel to, shorter than and positioned above and between L-shaped support legs30and engages an item for support of said item.

One embodiment of device10of the present invention is best seen inFIGS. 1-3and is adapted for supporting one or two bicycles (shown in shadow) suspended above floor12. In addition to resting on floor12, device10leans against vertical wall14. As shown, device10is comprised of round tubing though those skilled in the art will recognize that other material, for example, square tubing, can be utilized.

As shown, vertical member16of device10includes at least one vertical portion15whose major axes are oriented vertically. Each vertical portion15has an upper end18and a narrowed lower end20. The narrowed lower end20is telescopically received within the upper end18of an abutting vertical portion15whereby in combination the three vertical portions15result in vertical member16. A snap19comprising snap pin19ain lower end20mating with a corresponding hole19bin upper end18is preferably used to secure one vertical portion15to an abutting vertical portion15. Once secured, simply depressing snap pin19adisengages vertical portions15.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the number of vertical portions15is not critical to the invention, that vertical member16can consist of one or as many vertical portions15as desired. The choice of three vertical portions15in the illustrated embodiment is for minimizing the length of the packaging containing the goods and is not critical for purposes of the invention.

Device10further comprises base member22which includes a base vertical portion21which telescopically receives lower end20of vertical member16. Another snap19comprising snap pin19ain lower end20mating with a corresponding hole19bin base vertical portion21is preferably used to secure vertical member16to base member22. Once secured, simply depressing snap pin19adisengages vertical member16and base member22.

Extending horizontally from base vertical portion21is generally U-shaped portion23having a base portion25generally oriented horizontally and parallel to wall14and two leg portions27also extending generally horizontally but extend laterally at an angle from wall14on one side of vertical member16. In the preferred embodiment, leg portions27are not perpendicular to wall14but extend at an angle A from base portion25. In the most preferred embodiment, angle A is about 113°.

Device10further includes the two L-shaped support legs30having a horizontally oriented elongated portion32having a narrowed wall end34telescopically received in leg portions27and extending therefrom and foot portion36extending downwardly from elongated portion32to rest upon floor12. Snaps19are used to secure support legs30to base member22as previously described. In addition, caps38are provided for the end of foot portions36engaging floor12to prevent scratching of same when device10is assembled as well as frictional engagement therewith.

Device10further comprises L-shaped wall brace40having an elongated vertical portion42having a narrowed lower end44telescopically received within upper end18and extending upwardly therefrom and a wall brace portion46extending directly opposite support legs30from elongated vertical portion42to engage wall14. Snaps19are also used to releasably secure wall brace40to vertical member16as previously described while a third cap48is provided for the end of wall brace portion46engaging wall14to also prevent damage thereto and to frictionally engage said wall.

Device10further includes bicycle supports50which are secured to either vertical member16or elongated vertical portion42. Such securement is effected by support49comprising a collar52which slidably receives vertical member16and elongated vertical portion42therein. A winged screw54is screwed into a threaded hole56in collar52to frictionally engage either vertical member16or elongated vertical portion42to hold collar52in a desired position.

Extending parallel to and positioned between support legs30are arms51comprising, in this embodiment, a pair of support arms58which are mounted to collar52of each bicycle support50. Support arms58are shorter than support legs30. The distal end of each support arm58further has a holding member60whose upper surface is formed into an arcuate groove62of sufficient size to receive a bicycle tubular frame member. The grooves62of each pair of support arms58are generally coaxial and are preferably provided with a rubber cover64to prevent scratching of the bicycle frame as well as provide frictional engagement therewith

In the illustrated embodiment, each pair of support arms58are formed from a single piece of solid round bar which is provided with an arcuate center groove66which groove conforms to and is welded to collar52.

An alternate embodiment shown inFIGS. 5 and 8utilizes one or more variant bicycle supports70which are secured to either vertical member16or elongated vertical portion42. Such securement is effected wherein support70comprises a hub72which slidably receives vertical member16aand elongated vertical portion42atherein. A quick release pin74is inserted into a hole76in hub72and engages with one of a plurality of mating holes73provided in either a vertical member16aor an elongated vertical portion42a.

In the embodiment ofFIGS. 5 and 8, parallel to and positioned between support legs30are support arms58which are mounted to hub72of each bicycle support50as described in more detail below.

That portion of support arms58which extends through hub72are formed from a single piece of solid round bar which is provided with an straight center86having two short straight parallel sides88extending laterally from said center86. Support arms58extend as previously described in connection withFIGS. 1-3from the distal end of sides88.

As best seen inFIG. 8, hub72preferably comprises a front section90and a rear section92with center86captured therebetween. In the preferred embodiment, front section90is shaped as a cylinder shaped having a sidewall93and a disk94covering one end thereof and an open end95. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the many other shapes are possible for hub72and its components. On opposing sides of front section90, two openings96are provided which are adapted to slidably receive vertical member16aand elongated vertical portion42atherein.

Rear section92, in the illustrated embodiment, is disk shaped and sized to cover open end95of front section90. Two parallel tabs98extend laterally from opposing sides of rear section92and have openings100therethrough which are adapted to slidably received vertical member16aand elongated vertical portion42atherein. When rear section92engages front section90, tab openings100align with openings96to slidably receive vertical member16and elongated vertical portion42therein.

To easily align rear section92and front section90, two parallel walls102extend from each side of an opening96across the interior of front section90to the corresponding side of opposing opening96. Walls102are positioned and sized to receive tabs98therebetween.

To secure support arms58to hub72, at least one pair of grooves104are provided positioned 180 degrees from each other along the periphery of sidewall93. Grooves104are adapted to receive sides88of a single pair of support arms58from one bicycle support50. In the preferred embodiment, three pairs of grooves104are provided, one pair104aat 90 degrees from openings96and100, the other two pairs104band104c, aligned at an acute angle to the 90 degree pair. The latter two pairs104band104care angled to receive those bicycles which have an angled frame (i.e. women's bicycles).

To use the alternate embodiments ofFIGS. 5,8and9, hub72is assembled with bicycle support50positioned between front section90and rear section92. The user positions sides88as desired in a selected pair of grooves104and then hub72is slid over vertical member16aor elongated vertical portion42aand positioned as desired. Quick release pin74is inserted into hole76and one of the mating plurality of holes73and the device is ready to receive a bicycle. Removal and insertion of quick release pin74allows a user to slide or secure hub72to a desired vertical location as needed.

When assembled as shown inFIG. 1, the weight of the bicycles (shown in shadow) is between vertical member16and foot portions36. Since the weight in that position, device10is urged towards wall14by a rotation about foot portions36. Wall brace portion46prevents such rotation but the force generated secures device10, and its bicycles, fimly in position.

The use of snaps19aand wing screws54or quick release pins74allows device10to be quickly set up and torn down as needed.

One advantage of the use of hub72is the ability to utilize a plurality of supports70. By way of example, inFIG. 10a basketball hoop150is shown mounted to hub72while inFIG. 11, a boat hook device160suitable for mounting kayaks or canoes is mounted to hub72. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many almost any item can be suspended from device10as described, including, but not limited to, shelving, luggage, clothing and the like.

In an alternate embodiments best seen inFIGS. 5-7, a center connector110is provided with openings112. Openings112are adapted to receive wall brace portion46. In the illustrated and most preferred embodiments, three openings aligned at 120 degrees from each other are provided whereby three devices10can be secured to each other to provide a free standing bicycle support structure114. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other embodiments using two or four devices10are possible, though with some modifications, namely, lengthening wall brace portion46in the four device10variation to avoid having bicycles interfere with one another in that embodiment.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, in one embodiment center connector110is constructed using an upper piece116secured to a lower piece118by a nut120and bolt122combination. However, in the presently preferred embodiment shown inFIG. 7, center connector110is a one piece unit. Further, in this embodiment, holes127are formed in center connector110which area adapted to receive quick release pins128. Holes127are positioned proximate to openings112and align with corresponding holes formed in the end of wall brace portion46received within openings112. Quick release pins128provide additional stability by preventing an accidental disengagement, as, for example, when removing a bicycle from device10.

Lastly, the use of center connector110is favored in, for example, retail stores for display of bicycles. In one shown inFIG. 7, a hole140is provided in the middle of center connector112which is adapted to receive a post142having a banner144mounted thereon for display purposes. Banner144includes indicia146having, for exemplary purposes only, advertising messages contained thereon.

Although certain embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.