Abstract:
The invention is a compact storage rack for holding and storing tools and other articles within a recess in a wall of a building or vehicle. The storage rack includes a back panel, mounting members for securing the rack in the recess and at least one door panel pivotally mounted to the mounting members. Each panel consists of a wire grid composed of pairs of generally parallel and equidistantly spaced horizontal bars secured together by generally parallel and equidistant vertical bars. The grid design allows visual inspection of the tools inside the storage rack to confirm what equipment is present and that it is properly mounted. The grid design also allows air to permeate the storage rack to air dry the tools stored therein. The swing door arrangement provides easy access to the equipment.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to compact tool storage racks. The present invention is useful for, amongst other things, holding and storing equipment within a recess located in the side or back of rescue trucks, fire trucks or other vehicles as well as recesses in walls of buildings. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Common equipment storage racks for rescue or fire trucks include vertical aluminum panels slidably mounted within a recess located in the side of a truck for movement between a retracted or stored position fully within the truck recess and an extended position substantially extended outward from the truck. When the panels are fully extended from the truck recess, the tools mounted on the panel can be accessed. 
         [0003]    Frequently, the tool positions on the panel are fixed and cannot be changed, limiting the type and amount of equipment that can be stored on the panel. Further, typically two or more panels are slidably mounted side by side in the recess to accommodate all of the equipment required by the firemen. When the panels are in their retracted position, the equipment stored on the front panel is minimally visible and the equipment stored on panels behind the front panel are not visible. Further, if one panel is fully extended outward to give the firemen access to the tools mounted on the panel, it may block visual inspection of and access to the tools on the other panels. Taking inventory of the equipment to confirm that all required equipment is in the storage system requires that each panel be opened individually. 
         [0004]    Another storage system used in fire trucks or rescue vehicles includes a number of aluminum mounting tracks that are secured within the interior of typically metal cabinets located in a recess in the side or back of a vehicle. Holes must be drilled in the cabinet to secure the tracks to the cabinet. The mounting tracks are designed to receive tool holders for supporting a variety of fire equipment. 
         [0005]    The cabinet doors eliminate or reduce the ability of the firemen to see the equipment stored in the cabinet to confirm that all necessary equipment is mounted in the cabinet. Further, the doors limit the amount of air circulation within the cabinet. If some of the equipment is wet when mounted on the tool holders within the cabinet, the tools may not adequately dry out, leading to rust or decay. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention is a compact storage rack designed to be mounted within a recess in a wall of a building or a vehicle such as fire or rescue truck. The rack includes a back panel, a mounting assembly and at least one door panel pivotally mounted on the frame. In a closed position, the door panel is in spaced relation from the back panel; in an open position, the door panel can swing 90 degrees from its closed position to provide access to the equipment stored on the door and back panels. 
         [0007]    The door and back panels consist of a wire grid of generally equidistantly spaced and parallel pairs of horizontal bars and vertical bars, although other configurations are possible. The grid panels provide a surface for conveniently and selectively mounting holders for tools, equipment, clothing or other articles. Tool holders can be mounted on the front of the back panel and on either or both sides of the door panels. The panels permit a visual confirmation of what tools, equipment, clothing or other articles are stored on the rack and that the holders and supported articles are properly mounted on the rack. Further, air is permitted to flow through the rack to help dry any articles stored on the rack. 
         [0008]    In a second embodiment, two door panels are pivotally mounted to the mounting assembly in opposing relation (on opposite sides of the mounting assembly). A first door panel will have its axis of rotation located opposite and forward of the axis of rotation of the second door panel. This further expands the storage capability of the rack system, providing five panel sides for mounting equipment. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate corresponding structure through the several views: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a single door storage rack of the present invention with the door panel in its open position; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the single door storage rack of the present invention with the door panel in its open position, opposite that of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the single door storage rack of the present invention with the door panel in its open position; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a rear view of the single door storage rack of the present invention with the door panel in its open position; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the single door storage rack of the present invention with the door panel in its open position; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the single door storage rack of the present invention with the door panel in its open position, opposite that of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the single door storage rack of the present invention with the door panel in its open position; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a bottom view of the single door storage rack of the present invention with the door panel in its open position; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8A  is a top view of the single door storage rack of the present invention with the door panel in a closed position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a double door storage rack of the present invention with the back panel detached and spaced from the mounting assembly supporting two door panels in their open position; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the double door storage rack of the present invention with the back panel detached and spaced from the mounting assembly supporting the two door panels, opposite that of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a front view of the double door storage rack of the present invention with the back panel detached and spaced from the mounting assembly supporting the two door panels; 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a rear view of the double door storage rack of the present invention with the back panel attached to the mounting assembly supporting the two door panels; 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a side view of the double door storage rack of the present invention with the back panel detached and spaced from the mounting assembly supporting the two door panels; 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is a side view of the double door storage rack of the present invention with the back panel detached and spaced from the mounting assembly supporting the two door panels, opposite that of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  is a top view of the double door storage rack of the present invention with the back panel detached and spaced from the mounting assembly supporting the two door panels; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  is a bottom view of the double door storage rack of the present invention with the back panel detached and spaced from the mounting assembly supporting the two door panels. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0027]    Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the following description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 
         [0028]    A single door panel embodiment of the storage rack of the present invention is shown at  10  in  FIG. 1 . The storage rack  10  is designed to be mounted within a recess in the side of a motor vehicle or a wall in a building. The storage rack  10  includes a generally rectangular back panel  20 , a mounting assembly  50  and a generally rectangular door panel  70  pivotally mounted between two vertically aligned mounting members. Door panel  70  rotates between a closed position substantially parallel to the back panel  20  in spaced relation to provide space for equipment mounted to the back panel  20  and on the inside of the door panel  70 . In an open position, door panel  20  is generally perpendicular to the back panel  20 . The back panel  20  ideally is secured to a back wall of the recess behind the mounting assembly but may be secured to the mounting assembly. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the back panel  20  includes vertical frame members  21 V and horizontal frame members  21 H. The frame members are, in one embodiment, tubular steel having a generally square cross section, although other cross section configurations or other types of frame members can be utilized. Secured between the frame members is a grid  22  comprised of generally equidistantly spaced and parallel pairs of horizontal wires  24  secured to generally equidistantly spaced and parallel vertical wires  26 . The wires may be of any desired size, although in one preferred embodiment, the wires have a ¼ inch diameter. Pairs of horizontal wires provide additional strength and are used to support tool holders, which in turn support the desired articles and tools on the grid  22 . 
         [0030]    Door panel  70  includes horizontal tubular frame members  72  (top) and  74  (bottom) and side frame members  76  and  78  having a generally square cross section configuration. Secured between the frame members is a wire grid  80  similar to grid  22  on back panel  20 . 
         [0031]    The mounting assembly  50  includes four mounting members each having an L-shaped cross section. In one preferred embodiment of the storage rack, each mounting member  50  is secured to a different corner of the back panel  20 . Mounting members at the top of the back panel  20  are identified as  50 T and the mounting members located at the bottom of the back panel  20  are referred to as  50 B. Door panel  70  is pivotally secured along side frame member  76  between a pair of vertically aligned top and bottom mounting members ( 50 T and  50 B). The axis of rotation of the door panel  70  is spaced from the back panel  20  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0032]    The mounting members  50 T and  50 B are used to secure the storage system within a recess in a wall of a building or a vehicle. Various holes and slots are provided on both sides of each mounting member  50  to facilitate securing the back panel  20  and door panel  70  to the mounting members  50 , as well as providing openings for fasteners to secure the mounting members  50 T and  50 B within the desired recess. Adjustment holes, such as those shown at  58  in  FIG. 1 , are placed in close proximity to permit adjustment of the location of door panel  70  with respect to the back panel  20 . 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , at the upper corners of the back panel  20 , the vertical frame members  21 V extend above the top horizontal frame member  21 H at  29  to engage the upper mounting members  50 T. This leaves room for operation of a spring assembly  28  pivotally secured at a first end  30  to and above a support bracket  32  which extends forward from the upper frame member  21 H (towards the door panel  70  when in its closed position). A second end  34  of the spring assembly  28  pivotally engages a support tab  86  extending laterally inward from the top frame member  72  of door panel  70  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Spring assembly  28  can be mechanical or operated on gas, liquid or by other means. 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , an L-shaped downward facing stop  36  is supported on an outer end of the support bracket  32  to limit the rotation of the door panel  70  towards the back panel  20 , so that when door panel  70  is in its closed position, it will be positioned substantially parallel to and spaced from the back panel  20 . 
         [0035]    Also shown in  FIG. 7 , a second bracket  38  extends forward from the bottom frame member  21 H of the back panel  20 . Secured to the bracket  38  is a spring plate  40  that can be flexed up and down. Secured to an outer end of the spring plate  40  is an U-shaped latch  42  including at an end nearest the back panel  20 , a vertical abutment  44  that acts as a stop to limit rotation of the door panel  70  towards the back panel  20  (much the same as stop  36 ). In front of the vertical abutment  44  is a horizontal support surface  46  for supporting the bottom of the door panel  70  when in its closed position and in front of the horizontal surface  46  is an inclined lip  48  that creates a ridge  49  at the back side of the lip  48  facing the stop  42  (see  FIGS. 1 and 7 ). The ridge  49  is higher than the support surface  46  of the latch  42 . The distance between the ridge  49  and abutment  44  is slightly greater than the width of the door panel bottom frame member  74 . 
         [0036]    When door panel  70  is rotated into its closed position, the door panel bottom frame member  74  will engage the lip  48 , causing the spring plate  40  to flex downward. As the door continues to rotate towards the back panel  20 , it will ride over the lip  48  onto the support surface  46 , at which time the spring plate  40  will flex back upwards capturing the bottom frame member  74  of door panel  70  between the abutment  44  and the ridge  49 , supported on support surface  46 . To move the door panel  70  back to its open position (90 degrees from its closed position), the latch  42  is pressed downward, disengaging it from the bottom of the door panel  70 , allowing the door panel  70  to be rotated away from the back panel  20 . 
         [0037]    Side frame member  78  has a shallow U-shaped configuration and is curved where it meets the top and bottom frame members  72  and  74  for aesthetic and safety reasons. In the middle of the frame member on the free side  78  of door panel  70 , the tubular frame is replaced with a steel plate rather than tubular steel to permit the placement of a light  82 . 
         [0038]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , the spring assembly secured between the back panel  20  and door panel  70  includes a cylinder  90  and a spring operated rod  92  slidably mounted within the cylinder  90  for movement between a retracted and extended position. The rod is biased by means within the cylinder (not shown) in the extended position. When door panel  70  is in its open position, the spring assembly applies a biasing force against the door panel  70  to keep it in the open position. 
         [0039]    When the door panel  70  is rotated to its closed position, the rod  92  is forced to retract into the cylinder  90 ; however, the spring assembly continues to apply a force against the door panel  70 . In the closed position, as shown in  FIG. 8A , the spring assembly  28  is oriented at an acute angle with the door panel  70  due to the positioning of rod  92  on support tab  86  and cylinder  90  on support bracket  32 . In this configuration, the spring assembly  28  continues to apply a bias force against the support tab  86  causing the door panel to remain in its closed position. 
         [0040]    A double door embodiment of the storage rack of the present invention is shown at  110  in  FIGS. 9-16 . The double door storage rack  110  includes a generally rectangular back panel  120  and two generally rectangular door panels  170  and  190 . The door panels  170  and  190  are each pivotally secured at a first end to a mounting assembly  147  in opposing relation, much like cabinet doors. Door panels  170  and  190  rotate between a closed position substantially parallel to the back panel  120  and an open position generally perpendicular to the back panel  120 . The storage rack  110  is designed to be mounted within a recess in the side of a motor vehicle or a wall in a building. The back panel  120  ideally is secured to a back wall of the recess behind the mounting assembly  148  but may be secured to the mounting assembly  148 . 
         [0041]    The back panel  120  includes vertical frame members  121 V and horizontal frame members  121 H. The frame members are, in one embodiment, tubular steel having a generally square cross section, although other cross section configurations or other types of frame members can be utilized. Secured between the frame members is a grid  122  comprised of generally equidistantly spaced and parallel pairs of horizontal wires  124  secured to generally equidistantly spaced and parallel vertical wires  126 . The wires may be of any desired size, although in one preferred embodiment, the wires have a ¼ inch diameter. Pairs of horizontal wires provide additional strength and are used to support tool holders, which in turn support the desired articles and tools on the grid  122 ; however, other configurations are possible, including single horizontal wire configurations. 
         [0042]    The mounting assembly includes mounting members  150 T and  150 B and cross supports  164 T and  164 B. Mounting members  150 T are connected together in spaced relation by cross support  164 T. Mounting members  150 B are connected together in spaced relation, substantially the same distance as mounting members  150 T, by cross support  164 B. Mounting members  150 T and cross support  164 T are positioned above mounting members  150 B and cross support  164 B so that each mounting member  150 T is vertically aligned above a corresponding mounting member  150 B as shown in  FIGS. 9-16 . 
         [0043]    Mounting members  150 T and  150 B have an L-shaped cross section. Various holes and slots are provided on both “legs” of the mounting members  150  to facilitate securing the door panels  170  and  190  to the mounting members  150 , as well as providing openings for fasteners to secure the mounting members  150 T and  150 B within the corners of a recess in a building or vehicle wall. Adjustment holes, such as those shown at  158  in  FIG. 10 , are placed in close proximity to permit adjustment of the location of door panel  190  on the mounting members  150  with respect to the back panel  120 . 
         [0044]    Cross supports  164 T and  164 B are generally tubular steel with a square cross section, but may be made in different configurations. Mounted on and extending forward from cross support  164 T is a stop support bracket  132  to which is attached an L-shaped downward facing stop  136  to limit the rotation of the door panel  190  towards the back panel  120 , so that when door panel  190  is in its closed position, it will be positioned substantially parallel to and spaced from the back panel  120 . Mounted on and extending upward from cross support  164 B is a latch  200 , similar to latch  42 , to limit the rotation of the door panel  170  towards the back panel  120  and engage and retain door panel  170  is in its closed position positioned substantially parallel to and spaced from the back panel  120 . Stop  136  extends further forward than does latch  200  to assure space between door panels  170  and  190  when in their closed positions. 
         [0045]    Also mounted on and extending outward from the cross support  164 B is a latch support bracket  138 . Secured to the bracket  138  is a spring plate  140  that can be flexed up and down. On the end of the spring plate  140  is a U-shaped latch  142 . Latch  142  includes at an end nearest the back panel  120  a vertical abutment  144  that acts as a stop to limit rotation of the door panel  190  towards the back panel  120  (much the same as stop  136 ). In front of the vertical abutment  144  is a horizontal support surface  146  for supporting the bottom of the door panel  190  when in its closed position and in front of the horizontal surface  146  is an inclined lip  148  that creates a ridge  149  (see  FIGS. 9 and 16 ) at the back side of the lip  148 , facing the abutment  144 , which is higher than the support surface  146  of the latch  142 . 
         [0046]    Door panel  170  includes horizontal tubular frame members  172  (top) and  174  (bottom) and side frame members  176  and  178  having a generally square cross-sectional configuration. Secured between the frame members is a grid  171  similar to grid  122  on back panel  120 . Door panel  190  includes horizontal tubular frame members  192  (top) and  194  (bottom) and side frame members  196  and  198  having a generally square cross section configuration. Secured between the frame members is a grid  191  similar to grid  122  on back panel  120 . Door panel  170  is vertically narrower than door panel  190 , the top frame member  172  of door panel  170  is vertically lower than the corresponding top frame member  192  of door panel  190 , and the bottom frame member  174  of door panel  170  is vertically higher than the corresponding bottom frame member  194  of door panel  190 . This is so that door panel  170 , when rotated to its closed position, will clear stop  136  and latch  142 , so that door panel  190  can engage stop  136  and door latch  142 . 
         [0047]    Door panel  170  is pivotally secured at a first end  176  between a pair of vertically aligned top and bottom mounting members  150 T and  150 B as shown at  214  in  FIG. 10 . Door panel  170  is pivotally mounted to the support members  150  so that in an open position, it is laterally spaced inward from the mounting members  150 , forward of the cross supports  164 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . In this offset mounted position, door panel  170  will rotate to its closed position between the cross supports  164 T and  164 B when door panel  170  is in its closed position. Door panel  190  is pivotally secured at a first end  196  between a pair of vertically aligned top and bottom mounting members  150 T and  150 B as shown at  216  in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0048]    A spring assembly  128  is pivotally secured at a first end  130  to and above support bracket  132  which extends forward from the upper cross support  164 T (towards the door panel  190  when in its closed position). A second end  134  of the spring assembly  128  pivotally engages a support tab  186  extending laterally inward from the top frame member  194  of door panel  190 . Likewise, a spring assembly  220  is pivotally secured at a first end  230  to and above support bracket  232  which extends backward from the lower cross support  164 B (towards the door panel  120 ). A second end  234  of the spring assembly  220  pivotally engages a support tab  236  extending laterally inward from the bottom frame member  174  of door panel  170 . Spring assemblies  220  and  128  work as described in the single door panel configuration. 
         [0049]    When door panels  170  and  190  are rotated to their closed position, (door panel  170  must be closed first), the door panel bottom frame members will engage the latch members as described with the single door panel embodiment, to releasably engage the door panels in their closed position. The door panels can be opened in the same fashion as described in the single door panel embodiment. 
         [0050]    Frame member  198  has a shallow U-shaped configuration and is curved where it meets the top and bottom frame members  192  and  194  for aesthetic and safety reasons. In the middle of the frame member on the free side  198  of door panel  190 , the tubular frame is replaced with a steel plate rather than tubular steel to permit the placement of a light  182 . Door panel  170  may also be modified in this manner to include a light.