Abstract:
The present inventions provide self-supporting drawer type storage carts for the storage of pallets or other loads, including heavy and relatively fragile loads, that may be smoothly moved between an open or forward position and a closed or rearward position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present inventions relate to storage carts. More particularly, the present inventions relate to drawer type storage carts that support loads and which are moveable between an open and closed position for easy access to and storage of loads. The storage cart systems of the present invention are capable of smooth movement between positions and are particularly useful in storing relatively fragile items such as glass, stone and countertops. 
   There are a number of storage carts available to store a variety of loads. One example may be found in Applicant&#39;s Publication No. US 2006/0012140 A1, which is incorporated herein by reference. That publication teaches storage carts that are particularly useful in consumer warehouse stores, although they have many other uses. In general, Applicant&#39;s publication is directed to a cart and a guide, the cart capable of supporting heavy loads while efficiently moveable between an open and closed position, and guided against undesired lateral movement. 
   There are some storage applications that require even smoother front to back movement of the storage cart and its load than that taught in Applicant&#39;s publication. For example, panes of glass for table tops and the like are heavy, but relatively fragile. Thus, there is a need for cart type storage devices that accommodate such loads, yet are capable of smooth movement between open and closed positions. 
   SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
   The present inventions overcome the problems associated with the storage of and access to heavy, yet relatively fragile, loads. For example, the present inventions provide a drawer type storage cart for supporting a load on a generally flat surface. A cart assembly having wheels to permit movement of the cart on the generally flat surface, a slide return bracket and guide brackets including horizontal slide rollers are provided. The present inventions also include a slide assembly cooperating with the cart assembly having wheels to permit movement of the slide assembly on the generally flat surface and a slide advance bracket, as well as a guide assembly secured to the generally flat surface including at least one pair of guide rollers which cooperate with the slide assembly. The cart assembly of the present inventions may also include at least one pair of front slide rollers and at least one pair of rear slide rollers, the slide rollers cooperating with the slide assembly, and a guide assembly having at least one pair of front slide rollers and at least one pair of rear slide rollers, the pairs of slide rollers cooperating with the slide assembly. The present inventions may further provide that the slide advance bracket cooperates with the cart assembly during movement of the cart in a forward direction and the slide return bracket cooperates with the slide assembly during movement of the cart assembly in a rearward direction. 
   The present inventions further provide for a drawer type storage cart for supporting a load on a generally flat surface which is capable of movement between a front or open position and a rear or closed position, including a cart assembly for supporting a load having at least two pairs of wheels to roll on the generally flat surface and a slide return member. A slide assembly having at least one pair of front wheels and at least one pair of rear wheels for movement on the generally flat surface and a slide advance bracket is also provided. A guide assembly secured to the generally flat surface including at least one pair of front guide rollers and at least one pair of rear guide rollers that cooperate with the slide assembly is further provided. The cart assembly of the present inventions may include at least two guide brackets including a pair of opposed slide rollers for rolling engagement with the slide member. The present inventions may further provide for a slide advance bracket that cooperates with the cart assembly during movement of the cart to an open position and a slide return bracket to cooperate with the slide assembly during movement of the cart assembly to a closed position. 
   Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide drawer type storage carts that may be smoothly moved between an open and a closed position. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide moveable storage carts that prevent undesired lateral movement. 
   An additional object of the present invention is to provide drawer type storage carts that are self-supporting. 
   A further object of the present invention is to provide a drawer type storage carts for use in a warehouse for storing heavy, yet relatively fragile, items that may be selectively moved between an open or forward position and a closed or rearward position. 
   Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide drawer type storage carts that may be incorporated into new or existing rack type storage systems. 
   Yet an additional object of the present invention is to provide a drawer type storage system that may be constructed from a wide variety of materials, including structural tubing, angles, beams and channels. 
   Inventor&#39;s Definition of the Terms 
   The terms used in the claims of this patent are intended to have their broadest meaning consistent with the requirements of law. Where alternative meanings are possible, the broadest meaning is intended. All words used in the claims are intended to be used in the normal, customary usage of grammar and the English language. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The stated and unstated features and advantages of the present inventions will become apparent from the following descriptions and drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements in the various views, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a drawer type storage system of the present invention shown in a storage or closed position with portions of the guide assembly removed to show other components; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  shown in the forward or open position; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a guide assembly of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a slide assembly of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a cart assembly of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the interaction of the guide, slide and cart assemblies of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 7  is a bottom perspective view of the cart assembly of  FIG. 5 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Set forth below is a description of what is currently believed to be the preferred embodiments or best representative examples of the inventions claimed. Future and present alternatives and modifications to the embodiments and preferred embodiments are contemplated. Any alternatives or modifications which make insubstantial changes in function, purpose, structure or result are intended to be covered by the claims of this patent. 
   A preferred embodiment of a drawer type cart storage system of the present invention is shown generally as  10  in  FIG. 1 . It is designed to roll on a generally flat surface or floor (not shown) of a warehouse, which is typically a concrete slab. The drawer type storage system  10  is designed and sized to support the intended load. For example, it may be sized to accommodate a standard pallet and its load and to fit within the bays created by typical shelf or rack type storage systems and below the shelves used for the storage of inventory items. Alternatively, storage cart  10  may be longer and thinner, as shown in the drawings, to accommodate glass or stone countertops and the like. Drawer type storage system  10  may be substantially completely under a shelf and/or substantially out of an access aisle when in a fully retracted or closed position toward the rear of a storage bay, and may extend substantially into the aisle or out of the bay when in its fully extended or open position. It will be understood by those of skill in the art that the present inventions are equally applicable to other storage settings, and may be used in situations without storage bays. 
   It will also be understood by those of skill in the art that the components of drawer type storage system  10  of the present invention and its related assemblies may be constructed from a wide variety of materials (e.g., wood, iron, steel or aluminum) having a variety of cross-sectional shapes (such as channels, angles, tubing, I-beams and S-beams). However, these particular standard structural components are not required to practice the inventions, as other structural members of different cross sections may also be advantageously fabricated and employed to practice the claimed inventions. 
   The storage cart system  10  of the present invention generally includes three principal component assemblies. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , system  10  includes a guide assembly  20 , a slide assembly  40  and a cart assembly  60 . The three principal assemblies cooperate with one another during movement of cart system  10  and are aligned as shown in  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 1  shows the relationship of the principal assemblies when cart assembly  60  is in the fully retracted or rearward position.  FIG. 2  shows the relationship of the assemblies when cart assembly  60  is in the fully extended or forward position. 
   A preferred embodiment of guide assembly  20  may best be seen by reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 . Guide assembly  20  includes a base  21  which may be attached to the warehouse floor slab or other support surface (not shown) through holes  22  or other well known means. In a preferred embodiment, base  21  is made from a standard channel having a web  23  and two upstanding flanges  24 . Base  21  also includes a front roller bracket  25  and a rear roller bracket  26 . As shown in the Figures, roller brackets  25  and  26  are made from structural angles having vertical flanges  27  and  28  and horizontal flanges  29  and  30 . Guide assembly  20  also includes a pair of front guide rollers  31  and rear guide rollers  32 . Front guide rollers  31  are rotatably mounted in the horizontal plane to horizontal flange  29  of front bracket  25 . Similarly, rear guide rollers  32  are rotatably mounted to operate on the horizontal plane to horizontal flange  30  of rear roller bracket  26 . It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that guide rollers  31  and  32  may be mounted by a variety of well known means. And, bearings (not shown) may be used instead of guide wheels  31  and  32 . Guide wheels  31  and  32  are spaced to cooperate with slide assembly  40  as hereinafter described. 
   The construction of a preferred embodiment of slide assembly  40  may best be seen by reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 . Slide assembly  40  is generally rectangular and box shaped, and includes a top web  41 , two side flanges  42 , a front plate  43  and a rear plate  44 . Pairs of front slide wheels  45  and rear side wheels  46  are also provided which are designed to roll on the ground or warehouse floor (not shown). It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that said wheels  45  and  46  may be rotatably mounted in a variety of ways. A slide advance bracket  47  is affixed to the top of web  41  to function as hereinafter described. Also as hereinafter described, the side flanges  42  of slide assembly  40  are spaced apart to rollably engage front and rear guide rollers  31  and  32  of guide assembly  20 . 
   The third principal assembly is cart assembly  60 , which may best be seen by reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  5  and  7 . In a preferred embodiment, cart assembly  60  includes two side members  61 , a front cross member  62 , a rear cross member  63  and a middle cross member  64 . In a preferred embodiment, side members  61  and cross members  62 ,  63  and  64  are made from structural angles, but a wide variety of structural or formed members may be used. These members may be welded together or secured by a variety of well known means. A pair of front wheels  65  and a pair of rear wheels  66  are provided which are to roll on the ground or warehouse floor (not shown). Cart assembly  60  is sized and designed to carry and support the intended load. 
   Cart assembly  60  also includes guide brackets  68  mounted to opposing sides of center cross member  64  and guide brackets  69  mounted to opposing sides of rear cross member  63 . The guide brackets  68  and  69  are spaced apart a sufficient distance so that they provide clearance for slide assembly  40  as hereinafter described. Rotatably mounted to each pair of guide brackets  68  and  69  are slide rollers  71  and  72  respectively, each of which is oriented on a horizontal plane to function as hereinafter described. A slide return bracket  73  is mounted on front cross member  62  to function as hereinafter described. Load restraints  74  may be mounted at each corner of cart assembly  60  to help return a pallet and/or load during movement between the closed and open positions. 
   The orientation and relationship between the three principal assemblies may best be seen by reference to  FIG. 6 . As shown therein, slide assembly  40  is sized to fit over guide assembly  20 . In a preferred embodiment, the inside of side flanges  42  are in rolling contact with front and rear guide wheels  31  and  32  of guide assembly  20 . Front and rear slide wheels  45  and  46  roll on the ground or warehouse floor. Horizontal slide rollers  71  and  72  of cart assembly  60  rollingly engage the outside of side flanges  42  of slide assembly  40 . Finally, wheels  65  and  66  of cart assembly  60  support the load (not shown) and roll along the ground or warehouse floor. 
     FIG. 1  shows the present invention in a closed or rearward position. In operation, a load (not shown) is placed on cart assembly  60 . When it is desired to move cart assembly  60  forward, a worker may grab the load or use an optional handle (not shown) attached to cart assembly  60 . As cart  60  is moved forward, slide advance bracket  47  is engaged by middle cross member  64  of cart assembly  60 . This causes slide assembly  40  to move forward along with cart assembly  60  until cart assembly  60  reaches its most forward or open position, as shown in  FIG. 2 . Forward progress of cart assembly  60  is stopped when rear plate  44  of slide assembly  40  contacts rear roller bracket  26  of guide assembly  20 . 
   When it is desired to close drawer system  10 , the load or optional handle of cart  60  may be pushed rearward. Slide return bracket  73  eventually contacts front plate  43  of slide assembly  40 . As a result, slide assembly  40  is then retracted to the position shown in  FIG. 1 . Because of the interaction between the guide assembly  20 , the slide assembly  40  and cart assembly  60 , smooth movement of cart assembly  60  is enabled. This is particularly beneficial when heavy yet relatively fragile loads are to be stored. 
   The above description is not intended to limit the meaning of the words used in or the scope of the following claims that define the invention. Rather, it is contemplated that future modifications in structure, function or result will exist that are not substantial changes and that all such insubstantial changes in what is claimed are intended to be covered by the claims. Thus, while preferred embodiments of the present inventions have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that changes and modifications can be made without departing from the claimed invention. 
   Various features of the present inventions are set forth in the following claims.