Abstract:
The present disclosure describes a storage system and related methods. A storage system may include a plurality of components configured to be arranged in a track. The track may include at least two substantially parallel rows of components. Each of the components of the track may include a support surface and a plurality of apertures configured to receive a fastener. The apertures may be used to secure the component to a support structure. Each of the components may also include a coupling component configured to couple adjacent components. The track may be configured to receive a storage container. The storage container may include a storage compartment and flange disposed at least partially around the storage compartment. The flange of the storage container may be configured to rest upon the support surfaces of at least two separate components in the track disposed on opposite sides of the storage container.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/748,701, filed Jan. 3, 2013, and titled “STORAGE SYSTEMS AND RELATED METHODS,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to systems and methods for improving the utilization of storage space. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to overhead storage systems and related methods, which may be utilized for creating storage space in a wide variety of locations. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the disclosure are provided herein, including various embodiments of the disclosure illustrated in the figures listed below. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an isometric view of a component of an overhead storage system, according to various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a bottom view of the component illustrated in  FIG. 1 , according to various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of the component illustrated in  FIG. 1 , according to various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates a top view of the component illustrated in  FIG. 1 , according to various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the component illustrated in  FIG. 4A  and taken along line  4 B- 4 B, according to various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an end view of an overhead storage system including a storage container suspended in a track that is formed by two components. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an isometric view of a spacer component of an overhead storage system, according to various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an isometric view of two components of a storage system coupled together, according to various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8A  illustrates a diagram of a storage system including a plurality of storage containers, according to various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8B  illustrates that the storage system depicted in  FIG. 8A  may be utilized for rotating a plurality of storage containers according to various methods consistent with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an isometric view of a component of an overhead storage system having a consistent height across its length to facilitate mounting to a planar surface without use of a spacing component, according to various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a bottom view of the component illustrated in  FIG. 9 , according to various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a side view of the component illustrated in  FIG. 9 , according to various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 12A  illustrates a top view of the component illustrated in  FIG. 9 , according to various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 12B  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the component illustrated in  FIG. 12A  and taken along line  12 B- 12 B, according to various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates an end view of the component illustrated in  FIG. 9 , according to various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates an isometric view of a component of an overhead storage system having a consistent height across its length to facilitate mounting to a planar surface without use of a spacing component, according to various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a bottom view of the component illustrated in  FIG. 14 , according to various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a side view of the component illustrated in  FIG. 14 , according to various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a top view of the component illustrated in  FIG. 14 , according to various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 18  illustrates an end view of the component illustrated in  FIG. 14 , according to various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, numerous specific details are provided for a thorough understanding of the various embodiments disclosed herein. The systems and methods disclosed herein can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In addition, in some cases, well-known structures, materials, or operations may not be shown or described in detail in order to avoid obscuring aspects of the disclosure. Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more alternative embodiments. 
     Disclosed herein are a variety of systems and methods that may be utilized to improve utilization of storage space. Specifically, the various embodiments disclosed herein facilitate the creation of overhead storage utilizing a modular storage system configured to suspend storage containers. Such systems may be utilized in a variety of applications and settings. For example, the systems and methods disclosed herein may be utilized in a home environment, for example by installing a system consistent with the present disclosure in a garage, and thereby creating additional storage space. In addition, the systems and methods disclosed herein may be incorporated into commercial enterprises in order to improve utilization of available space by creating additional overhead storage. The systems and methods disclosed herein may be utilized in connection with moving vehicles, storage units, storage sheds, and the like. 
     According to some embodiments consistent with the present disclosure, the plurality of modular components may be utilized in order to create one or more tracks configured to receive storage containers. The modular components may permit a user to create a track of a desired length. The modular design of the systems disclosed herein may allow a user to create a storage system within the area available to the user or suitable to a particular user&#39;s intended application of the storage system. 
     Methods disclosed herein may relate to the use of a storage system, consistent with the present disclosure, in which stored items are sequentially loaded into a storage system and unloaded from the storage system in the same order. Such methods may readily be applicable to storage of a variety of items commonly stored by households and commercial entities. For example, the home environment seasonal items (e.g. decorations, clothing, etc.) are likely to be retrieved annually in the same order. Accordingly, such items may be loaded into a storage system consistent with the present disclosure in the order in which such items are likely to be unloaded from the storage system. 
     According to some embodiments, specific storage containers may also be utilized that are configured to improve the accessibility of storage containers stored in a system consistent with the present disclosure. For example, a system may be configured to store a plurality of storage containers. According to some embodiments, storage containers consistent with the present embodiment may be configured to rotate with respect to the track in order to facilitate non-sequential removal of a desired storage container. 
     The embodiments of the disclosure will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The components of the disclosed embodiments, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Furthermore, the features, structures, and operations associated with one embodiment may be applicable to or combined with the features, structures, or operations described in conjunction with another embodiment. 
     It will be appreciated that terms such as “right,” “left,” “top,” “bottom,” “above,” and “side,” as used herein, are merely for ease of description and refer to the orientation of the systems, features, and/or components shown in the figures. It should be understood that any orientation of the systems, features, and/or components described herein is within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Thus, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the systems and methods of the disclosure is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, as claimed, but is merely representative of possible embodiments. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an isometric view of a component  100  of an overhead storage system, according to various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. Component  100  includes a support surface  102  upon which a flange of a storage container (not shown) may be supported. According to some embodiments, support surface  102  may comprise a low-friction surface, rollers, or other implements in order to facilitate sliding storage containers along support surface  102 . Support surface  102  may extend horizontally from a beam  104 . Beam  104  may further engage with a storage container and to keep such storage containers suspended within an overhead storage system. 
     Component  100  includes a plurality of apertures  106  that may be utilized to mount component  100  to an overhead surface (e.g., a ceiling, a rafter, etc.). Apertures  106  may be configured to permit the passage of a fastening device, such as a screw, nail, rivet, bolt, anchor, or the like. An appropriate fastening device may be selected based upon the type of overhead structure to which component  100  is attached. For example, a wood screw may be appropriate when component  100  is to be attached to a wooden overhead structure, while a metal screw may be appropriate when component  100  is to be attached to a metal overhead structure. When mounted, a top surface  116  of component  100  may abut an overhead support structure, such as a ceiling, a rafter, and the like. According to one embodiment, apertures  106  may be spaced so as to facilitate attachment to studs in commercial or residential construction. In one particular embodiment, the distance between apertures may be 8″. Such an embodiment may facilitate attachment of component  100  to studs having either a 16″ spacing or a 24″ spacing. 
     Component  100  may be configured to couple to additional components of an overhead storage system (not shown) using a protruding component  108  and a receiving component  110 . As may be appreciated, protruding component  108  may be configured to be received within a receiving component (not shown) of an adjacent segment of an overhead storage system. Similarly, a receiving component  110  may be configured to couple with a protruding component (not shown) of another adjacent segment of the overhead storage system. A fastener may pass through a protruding component aperture  112  to secure adjacent components of an overhead storage system together. Similarly, a receiving component aperture  114  may be configured to permit passage of a fastener to secure component  100  to another adjacent component of the overhead storage system. 
     According to various embodiments, component  100  may be integrally formed using any of a variety of manufacturing techniques. As the term is used herein, integrally formed refers to a component formed of a single piece of material. According to various embodiments, component  100  may be formed using plastic, metal, wood, and other materials. An appropriate material may be selected based upon a variety of factors, including a determination of the weight that component  100  is to support. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a bottom view of a component  200  of an overhead storage system, according to various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. Component  200  includes apertures  206  that may be utilized to mount component  200  to an overhead surface. As illustrated, apertures  206  may narrow in order to accommodate a fastening device (not shown) with a large head, a washer, or other implement used in connection with the fastening device. 
     Component  200  may be hollow in order to reduce the amount of material necessary to form component  200 . A plurality of ribs  218  may be disposed within component  200  in order to add strength to component  200  and prevent deformation of component  200  that may be caused by weight associated with storage containers supported by component  200 . Ribs  218  may be integrally formed or may be formed of other materials depending upon a weight that component  200  is expected to support. According to some embodiments, for example, ribs  218  may be formed of plastic and reinforced using metal. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of a component  300  of an overhead storage system, according to various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. Component  300  includes a top surface  316  that may be configured to abut an overhead structure to which component  300  may be attached. A support surface  302  is disposed proximate the bottom of component  300 . A protruding component  308  is disposed on one end of component  300  and a receiving component  310  may be disposed on the opposite end of component  300 . Protruding component  308  may be configured to couple to an adjacent component (not shown), and receiving component  310  may be configured to couple to another adjacent component (not shown). Protruding component  308  and receiving component  310  may be utilized to form a plurality of components into an overhead track for supporting one or more storage containers. 
       FIG. 4A  illustrates a top view of a component  400  of an overhead storage system, according to various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. As illustrated, component  400  may include support surfaces  402  on both sides of a beam  404 . Accordingly, component  400  may be utilized as part of multiple tracks of an overhead storage system. Component  400  includes a protruding component  408  and a receiving component  410  that may be utilized to couple component  400  to adjacent components of an overhead storage system. 
       FIG. 4B  illustrates a cross-sectional view of component  400  of an overhead storage system illustrated in  FIG. 4A , according to various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. The cross-sectional view illustrated in  FIG. 4B  shows additional detail relating to protruding component  408  and receiving component  410 . Specifically, as may be appreciated from the illustration, receiving component  410  may be dimensioned to receive a protruding component  408  of an adjacent component of a storage system. 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 4B , apertures  406  may include a shoulder  407  against which a head of a fastening device or a washer may be seated in order to secure component  400  to an overhead surface. Further apertures  406  may be sufficiently large for a tool (e.g., a screw driver, a socket wrench, etc.) to be inserted in order to secure a fastener into an overhead support structure. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an end view of storage system including a storage container  540  suspended in a track  550  that is formed by two components  500 . Storage container  540  may include flanges  542  disposed along at least a portion of the perimeter of storage container  540 . Flanges  542  may be supported on support surfaces  502 , which are associated with components  500  disposed on opposite sides of storage container  540 . 
     According to certain embodiments consistent with the present disclosure, flanges  542  may be configured in order to allow at least some rotation of storage container  540  with respect to track  550 . Further, storage container  540  may be generally rectangular such that a length of storage container  540  exceeds the width of storage container  540 . Components  500  may be placed at a sufficient distance to accommodate the length of storage container  540 . Given that the length of storage container  540  is greater than its width, if storage container  540  is rotated such that it is generally parallel with track  550 , storage container  540  may be removed from track  550 . A flange associated with a storage container  540  configured to permit rotation of the container with respect to the track may, according to some embodiments, be approximately semicircular. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an isometric view of a spacer component  680  of an overhead storage system, according to various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. Component  680  may be configured to couple with a protruding component (not shown) at the end of a track of a storage system according to the present disclosure. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , for example, a protruding component  308  may be below a top surface  316 . A spacer component  680  may be inserted at the end of a track in order to ensure that a top surface is flat across the length of a component of a track of a storage system. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an isometric view of a portion of a track  700  that includes two components  702  and  704  coupled together, according to various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. The portion of track  700  may be a part of a storage system configured to receive a plurality of storage containers and to suspend such storage containers from an overhead surface. 
     A spacer component  780  is coupled to component  702 . As illustrated, spacer component  780  may be used at one end of the portion of track  700 . A fastener  792  may extend through spacer component  780  and a coupling component  782  of component  702 . The coupling component may be a protruding component, similar to protruding component  408 , which is illustrated in  FIG. 4A . 
     Returning to a discussion of  FIG. 7 , a coupling component  784  associated with component  702  may couple with a coupling component  786  associated with component  704 . According to various embodiments described previously, the coupling components  784  and  786  may comprise a protruding component and a receiving component, respectively. A fastener  794  may extend through the coupling component  784  and  786  in order to secure component  702  and  704  together. 
     A plurality of fasteners  790  may extend through each of components  702  and  704 . Fastener  790  may be configured to secure the portion of track  700  to an overhead support surface (not shown). According to various embodiments, fastener  790  may comprise screws, nails, rivets, bolts, incurs, and the like. 
     Some embodiments of storage systems according to the present disclosure may be utilized with various methods according to the present disclosure. One such method is illustrated in  FIGS. 8A and 8B .  FIG. 8A  illustrates a diagram of a storage system  800  that may be utilized for rotating a plurality of storage containers according to various methods consistent with the present disclosure. As illustrated in  FIG. 8A , storage containers 1 through 8 are stored in a storage system in sequential order. Storage system  800  may allow for storage containers to be removed from or added to a first end  802  or removed from or added to a second end  804 . 
     In  FIG. 8B , an arrow  806  illustrates removal of a storage container from the second end  804  and the addition of the storage container to the first end  802 . As shown, storage container 8 is removed from second end  804  and added to the first end  802 . This same process may be repeated as desired. 
     The system  802  may be utilized for storing items that may be removed from storage in a pre-determined order. For example, a storage system such as the system shown in  FIG. 8B  may be utilized for storing holiday decorations, seasonal clothing, or the like. Since holiday decorations, seasonal clothing, and other seasonal items are removed from storage and utilized in the same order each year, these items may be stored in a storage system configured to permit sequential addition and removal of storage containers. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates an isometric view of a component  900  of an overhead storage system having a consistent height across its length to facilitate mounting to a planar surface without use of a spacing component, according to various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. Component  900  includes a support surface  902  upon which a flange of a storage container (not shown) may be supported. According to some embodiments, support surface  902  may comprise a low-friction surface, rollers, or other implements in order to facilitate sliding storage containers along support surface  902 . Support surface  902  may extend horizontally from a beam  904 . Beam  904  may further engage with a storage container and to keep such storage containers suspended within an overhead storage system. 
     Component  900  includes a plurality of apertures  906  that may be utilized to mount component  900  to an overhead surface (e.g., a ceiling, a rafter, etc.). Apertures  906  may be configured to permit the passage of a fastening device, such as a screw, nail, rivet, bolt, anchor, or the like. An appropriate fastening device may be selected based upon the type of overhead structure to which component  900  is attached. When mounted, a top surface  916  of component  900  may abut an overhead support structure, such as a ceiling, a rafter, and the like. According to one embodiment, apertures  906  may be spaced so as to facilitate attachment to studs in commercial or residential construction. In one particular embodiment, the distance between apertures may be 8″. Such an embodiment may facilitate attachment of component  900  to studs having either a 16″ spacing or a 24″ spacing. 
     Component  900  may be configured to couple to additional components of an overhead storage system (not shown) using a protruding component  908  and a receiving component  910 . As may be appreciated, protruding component  908  may be configured to be received within a receiving component (not shown) of an adjacent segment of an overhead storage system. Similarly, a receiving component  910  may be configured to couple with a protruding component (not shown) of another adjacent segment of the overhead storage system. A fastener may pass through a protruding component aperture  912  to secure adjacent components of an overhead storage system together. Similarly, a receiving component aperture  914  may be configured to permit passage of a fastener to secure component  902  to another adjacent component of the overhead storage system. 
     Two ribs  920   a ,  920   b  extend in the same plane as top surface  916  in proximity to protruding component  908 . According to various embodiments, ribs  920   a ,  920   b  may create a consistent height across the length of component  900  to facilitate mounting to an overhead surface without use of a spacing component, such as the spacing component illustrated in  FIG. 6 . As described in connection with  FIG. 6 , a spacer component may be inserted at the end of a track in certain embodiments in order to ensure that a top surface is flat across the length of a component of a track of a storage system. Returning to a discussion of  FIG. 9 , ribs  920   a ,  920   b  may similarly provide a top surface that is flat across the length of component  900 . 
     According to various embodiments, component  900  may be integrally formed using any of a variety of manufacturing techniques. As the term is used herein, integrally formed refers to a component formed of a single piece of material. According to various embodiments, component  900  may be formed using plastic, metal, wood, and other materials. An appropriate material may be selected based upon a variety of factors, including a determination of the weight that component  900  is to support. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a bottom view of the component illustrated in  FIG. 9 , according to various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure.  FIG. 10  illustrates a bottom view of a component  1000  of an overhead storage system, according to various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. Component  1000  includes apertures  1006  that may be utilized to mount component  1000  to an overhead surface. As illustrated, apertures  1006  may narrow in order to accommodate a fastening device (not shown) with a large head, a washer, or other implement used in connection with the fastening device. 
     In some embodiments, component  1000  may be hollow in order to reduce the amount of material necessary to form component  1000 . A plurality of ribs  1018  may be disposed within component  1000  to add strength to component  1000  and prevent deformation of component  1000  that may be caused by weight associated with storage containers supported by component  1000 . Ribs  1018  may be integrally formed or may be formed of other materials depending upon a weight that component  1000  is expected to support. According to some embodiments, for example, ribs  1018  may be formed of plastic and reinforced using metal. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a side view of the component illustrated in  FIG. 9 , according to various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. Component  1100  includes a top surface  1116  that may be configured to abut an overhead structure to which component  1100  may be attached. A support surface  1102  is disposed proximate the bottom of component  1100 . A rib  1120   b  may be disposed to such that the top surface  1116  is flat across the length of component  1100 , consistent with various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 12A  illustrates a top view of the component illustrated in  FIG. 9 , according to various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. As illustrated, component  1200  may include support surfaces  1202  on both sides of a beam  1204 . Accordingly, component  1200  may be utilized as part of multiple tracks of an overhead storage system. Component  1200  includes a protruding component  1208  and a receiving component  1210  that may be utilized to couple component  1200  to adjacent components of an overhead storage system. 
       FIG. 12B  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the component illustrated in  FIG. 12A  and taken along line  12 B- 12 B, according to various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. As further illustrated in  FIG. 12B , apertures  1206  may include a shoulder  1207  against which a head of a fastening device or a washer may be seated in order to secure component  1200  to an overhead surface. Further apertures  1206  may be sufficiently large for a tool (e.g., a screw driver, a socket wrench, etc.) to be inserted in order to secure a fastener into an overhead support structure. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates an end view of the component illustrated in  FIG. 9 , according to various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , support surfaces  1302  are disposed on both sides of a beam. In alternative embodiments, only one support surface may be provided along one side of a component. As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , ribs  1320   a ,  1320   b  may be disposed on the sides of protruding component  1308 . As previously described, protruding component  1308  may be received by a receiving component (not shown) of an adjacent component. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates an isometric view of a component  1400  of an overhead storage system having a consistent height across its length to facilitate mounting to a planar surface without use of a spacing component, according to various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. Component  1400  may, in general, operate similar to the embodiments described in connection with  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 9 . As described in connection with component  900 , component  1400  may have a consistent height across its length to facilitate mounting to a planar surface. 
     Component  1400  may be configured to couple to adjacent components (not shown) to form a track that may hold one or more storage containers (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, a U-shaped extension  1422  may extend from one end of component  1400 . A U-shaped channel  1424  may be disposed at the opposite end of component  1400 . As may be appreciated, multiple components may be joined together by successively coupling the U-shaped extension on one component to a U-shaped channel of an adjacent component. 
       FIG. 15  illustrates a bottom view of the component illustrated in  FIG. 14 , according to various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. As illustrated, the U-shaped extension  1522  may be open and configured to couple to a U-shaped channel of an adjacent component of a storage system. 
       FIG. 16  illustrates a side view of the component illustrated in  FIG. 14 , according to various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. As illustrated, component  1600  may have a component of an overhead storage system having a consistent height across a top surface  1616  to facilitate mounting to a planar surface without use of a spacing component. As described in connection with other embodiments component  1600  may be mounted to a ceiling, a rafter, and the like using fastening devices, such as a screw, nail, rivet, bolt, anchor, or the like. 
       FIG. 17  illustrates a top view of the component illustrated in  FIG. 14 , according to various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure.  FIG. 17  illustrates a U-shaped channel  1724  on one end of a component  1700  and a U-shaped extension  1722 . In alternative embodiments, various mechanisms may be used to secure adjacent components together to form a track in place of U-shaped channel  1724  and U-shaped extension  1722 . 
       FIG. 18  illustrates an end view of the component illustrated in  FIG. 14 , according to various embodiments consistent with the present disclosure. Component  1800 , as illustrated in  FIG. 18  further illustrates that a top surface  1816  may be consistent to facilitate mounting of component  1800  to an overhead support. 
     The foregoing specification has been described with reference to various embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, this disclosure is to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope thereof. Likewise, benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to various embodiments. However, benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, a required, or an essential feature or element. The scope of the present invention should, therefore, be determined by the following claims.