Abstract:
A roll-out shelving storage rack system includes a frame coupled with a shelf member. The shelf member includes a base support, a shelf support tray, a shelf, and a driver. The base support mounts to the frame, and the shelf support tray engages the base support and is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The shelf engages the shelf support tray and is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The driver is coupled to the base support and the shelf. Activation of the driver moves the shelf from its retracted position to its extended position. Further, when the shelf reaches its fully extended position, the shelf support tray moves from its retracted position to its extended position. The extension of the shelf support tray substantially and completely extends the shelf outside of the frame. The roll-out shelving storage rack system includes a drive system that controls the driver. The roll-out shelving storage rack system may also include a second shelf member. In a two or more shelf member configuration, the drive system may include a safety interlock feature that prevents extension of one or more shelf members during the extension of another shelf member.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This present application claims all available benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/459,459 filed Dec. 13, 2010. By this reference, the full disclosure of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/459,459 is incorporated herein as though now set forth in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a roll-out shelving storage rack system. More particularly, the roll-out shelving storage rack system includes adjustable shelves that also substantially, completely extend and retract. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    In most modern businesses, space is at a premium. As such, businesses strive to maximize storage which reduces costs as well as allows for more profit per a given amount of space. A solution often employed by businesses involves the use of storage racks designed to increase the amount of storage at any given space. Storage racks that maximize space typically must satisfy three requirements; accessibility, adjustability, and robustness. 
         [0006]    Storage racks have incorporated a storage shelf that has the ability to extend and retract to meet the accessibility requirement. The ability of the shelf to extend and retract allows an end user to visually examine what products or inventory are on a given shelf. In addition, this ability also allows accessibility to the end user allowing them to place and retrieve products or inventory more easily. The ability of the shelf to extend and retract is also useful to businesses that want to use an overhead crane to retrieve inventory rather than a forklift. If an overhead crane is used then the storage rack must have a shelf or shelves that extend and retract in order to retrieve inventory. However, one problem that has been encountered is that high capacity powered shelves in modern storage racks do not fully extend. In most applications a shelf cannot fully extend because some of the shelf must remain in the storage rack or else the shelf would fall out or would not be able to support adequate weight. The ability of a shelf to fully extend within a storage rack would be useful. 
         [0007]    The ability of a storage rack shelf to extend or retract has traditionally been accomplished in one of two ways, using human power or pneumatic/hydraulics. The more weight that an extendable storage shelf can handle, the more beneficial it is to the end user. However, when the weight capacity of the storage rack is increased, this can cause problems. The more weight that is added to a shelf means more foot pounds to extend and retract a storage shelf. This can only be done up to a certain amount of weight until it is too dangerous for a human operator to manually extend or retract a storage shelf. Once this threshold has been reached, it becomes necessary to use hydraulics or pneumatics to extend and retract a shelf. Currently the highest capacity of any roll-out shelving manual rack system shelf on the market is 3000 pounds, and requires 25 pounds of force per 1000 pounds of load to extend the shelf from the rack. As stated above, pneumatics or hydraulics must be used when higher capacity extendable shelves are required. However, in the past, the use of hydraulics or pneumatics has comprised a rack system&#39;s accessibility and adjustability. 
         [0008]    Another important feature that modern businesses require is adjustability. With different product lines and product mixes the ability to adjust the storage space to meet current needs is very useful. There are manually operated storage rack shelves that are adjustable, but currently there are no pneumatically powered storage racks with adjustable shelves. 
         [0009]    In addition to the features mentioned above, storage racks must be robust. Many modern businesses operate heavy equipment, such as forklifts, and a storage rack needs to be robust enough to withstand an impact from such equipment to prevent an accident. 
         [0010]    Accordingly, a storage rack system that is pneumatically powered, allows the shelves to be adjusted, allows the shelves to fully extend and retract, and maximizes the amount of space and weight a shelf can carry, while still being robust would be useful. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    In accordance with the present invention, a roll-out shelving storage rack system includes a frame coupled with a first shelf member, a second shelf member, and a drive system. The frame of the storage rack system includes a top member that is reinforced and has a greater carrying capacity than the shelf member. The frame also includes vertical adjustment pillars that permit vertical adjustment of the shelf member within the frame. 
         [0012]    The first shelf member of the roll-out shelving storage rack includes a base support, a shelf support tray, a shelf, and a driver. The base support mounts to the frame, and the shelf support tray engages the base support and is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The shelf engages the shelf support tray and is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The driver is coupled to the base support and the shelf. Activation of the driver moves the shelf from its retracted position to its extended position. Further, when the shelf reaches its fully extended position, the shelf support tray moves from its retracted position to its extended position. The extension of the shelf support tray substantially and completely extends the shelf outside of the frame. 
         [0013]    The roll-out shelving storage rack may also include a second shelf member mounted to the frame. The second shelf member includes all the parts of the first shelf member including a driver. The actuation of the second shelf member&#39;s driver moves the second shelf member from its retracted position to its extended position. 
         [0014]    The base support includes a first shelf support rail securable to the frame, a second shelf support rail securable to the frame, and a rear driver support plate secured with the first and second shelf support rails. The base support also includes first and second bearings connected to the first shelf support rail and third and fourth bearings connected to the second shelf support rail. The first and second shelf support rails of the base support each removably engage the vertical adjustment pillars of the frame to permit vertical adjustment of the shelf member within the frame. 
         [0015]    The shelf support tray includes a back plate, first and second guiderails connected to the back plate, and a plurality of support beams connected to the first and second guiderails and to the back plate to provide support for the shelf support tray. The first and second guiderails of the shelf support tray define a frame side channel and a shelf side channel. The frame side channel of the first guiderail engages the first and second bearings of the first base support, and the frame side channel of the second guiderail engages the third and fourth bearings of the second base support, thereby coupling the shelf support tray with the base support such that the shelf support tray is movable within the base support between its retracted and extended positions. 
         [0016]    The shelf includes a support grid, a front support bar, a rear support bar, a first and second guide rail, a rear support bar, a surface plate, and bearings. The front and rear support bars connect to the support grid. The first and second guide rails are placed at the ends of the front and rear support bars, and connect to the front support bar, the rear support bar, and the support grid. The surface plate is connected to the front support bar, the rear support bar, the support grid, and the first and second guide rails. First and second bearings are then connected to the first guide rail, and third and fourth bearings are connected to the second guide rail. The driver attaches to the front driver support plate of the shelf and the rear driver support plate of the base support, thereby allowing the shelf member to be vertically adjustable within in the frame. 
         [0017]    The first and second bearings of the shelf engage the shelf side channel of the first guide rail of the shelf support tray, and the third and fourth bearings of the shelf engage the shelf side channel of the second guide rail of the shelf support tray such that the shelf is movable within the base support between its retracted and extended positions. The first and second guiderails of the shelf support tray include stops that halt progress of the shelf within the shelf support tray and the shelf support tray within the base support. 
         [0018]    The roll-out shelving storage rack includes a drive system that is coupled with the first shelf member and the second shelf member for moving the first shelf member and the second shelf member between extended and retracted positions. The drive system disables the second shelf member during extension and retraction of the first shelf member. Similarly, the drive system disables the first shelf member during extension and retraction of the second shelf member. 
         [0019]    The drive system of the roll-out shelving storage rack contains a manifold coupled with a source of pressurized air for distributing pressurized air throughout the drive system. The drive system of the roll-out shelving storage rack further includes a first start system coupled with the first shelf member and a second start system coupled with the second shelf member. The drive system of the roll-out shelving storage rack still further includes a first air valve switch, a second air valve switch, a first air valve, a second air valve, a first limit switch, and a second limit switch. 
         [0020]    The first start system for the first shelf member includes an “out” push button valve and an “in” push button valve. The first air valve switch is coupled with the first start system, wherein activation of the “out” push button valve of the first start system actuates the first air valve switch such that the first air valve switch operates the driver of the first shelf member to extend the first shelf member. Further, the activation of the “in” push button of the first start system actuates the first air valve switch such that the first air valve switch operates the driver of the first shelf member to retract the first shelf member. 
         [0021]    The second start system for the second shelf member includes an “out” push button valve and an “in” push button valve. The second air valve switch is coupled with the second start system, wherein activation of the “out” push button valve of the second start system actuates the second air valve switch such that the second air valve switch operates the driver of the second shelf member to extend the second shelf member. Further, the activation of the “in” push button of the second start system actuates the second air valve switch such that the second air valve switch operates the driver of the second shelf member to retract the second shelf member. 
         [0022]    The first limit switch engages the first shelf member such that the first limit switch closes when the first shelf member resides in its retracted position. The first limit switch opens when the first shelf member moves from its retracted position. Upon the opening of the first limit switch, a first air valve coupled with the first limit switch prevents activation of the “out” and “in” push button valves of the second start system. 
         [0023]    The second limit switch engages the second shelf member such that the second limit switch closes when the second shelf member resides in its retracted position. The second limit switch opens when the second shelf member moves from its retracted position. Upon opening of the first limit switch, a second air valve coupled with the second limit switch prevents activation of the “out” and “in” push button valves of the first start system. 
         [0024]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a roll-out shelving storage rack that includes a shelf member with a shelf that substantially and completely extends outside a frame of the roll-out shelving storage rack. 
         [0025]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a roll-out shelving storage rack that includes a shelf member vertically adjustable within a frame of the roll-out shelving storage rack. 
         [0026]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a roll-out shelving storage rack that includes a drive system with a safety interlock feature that prevents simultaneous operation of the first and second shelf members of the roll-out shelving storage rack. 
         [0027]    Still other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become evident to those skilled in the art in light of the following. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is a front view illustrating a roll-out shelving storage rack system according to the preferred embodiment. 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating the roll-out shelving storage rack system. 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating a limit switch and a contact point of the roll-out shelving storage rack system. 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  is a top view illustrating the limit switch of the roll-out shelving storage rack system. 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating a shelf member and the contact point of the roll-out shelving storage rack system. 
           [0033]      FIG. 6  is a top view illustrating a regulator/air filter of the roll-out shelving storage rack system. 
           [0034]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating a pneumatic cylinder, a front driver support plate, and a rear pneumatic support plate of the roll-out shelving storage rack system. 
           [0035]      FIG. 8  is a front view partially illustrating a shelf member of the roll-out shelving storage rack system. 
           [0036]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view partially illustrating the shelf member of the roll-out shelving storage rack system. 
           [0037]      FIG. 10  is a top view illustrating the roll-out shelving storage rack system with a shelf member retracted. 
           [0038]      FIG. 11  is a top view illustrating the roll-out shelving storage rack system with a shelf member extended. 
           [0039]      FIG. 12  is a schematic illustrating a drive system of the roll-out shelving storage rack system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0040]    As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components or steps. 
         [0041]    The Figures illustrate the components comprising the roll-out shelving storage rack system  5  according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The components include a frame  10 , shelf members  15  and  16 , and a drive system  25 . 
         [0042]      FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate the components that comprise the frame  10 . The frame  10  includes a top member  12 , a bottom member  13 , vertical supports  30 - 35 , vertical adjustment pillars  41 - 46 , and a brace  11 . In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the components that make up the frame  10  are made of structural steel tubing secured using any suitable means such as welding. 
         [0043]    The top member  12  of the frame  10  has four sides  500 - 503 , reinforcement beams  8  and  9 , and a top plate  6 . The top member  12  is constructed by placing the sides  500  and  502  parallel to each other and sides  501  and  503  parallel to each other. The sides  500 - 503  are placed at the desired distance to create the desired size of top member  12 . The sides  500 - 503  are attached by any suitable means such as welding. The reinforcement beams  8  and  9  are attached to the sides  501  and  503  of the top member  12  by any suitable means such as welding. The top plate  6  is placed over the four sides  500 - 503  and reinforcement beams  8  and  9  and secured by any suitable means such as welding. After assembly the top member  12  has a right front corner  536 , a left front corner  537 , a right back corner  538  and a left back corner  539 . The reinforcement beams  8  and  9  may provide top member  12  with a greater carrying capacity than the shelf members  15  and  16 . This allows the top member  12  to be a heavy-duty storage area for the storage rack  5 . In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the top member  12  can carry twice the capacity of shelf member  15  and  16 . 
         [0044]    The bottom member  13  of the frame  16  has four sides  516 - 519 . The bottom member  13  is constructed by placing the sides  516  and  518  parallel to each other and sides  517  and  519  parallel to each other. The sides  516 - 519  are placed at the desired distance to create the desired size of bottom member  13 . The sides  516 - 519  are attached by any suitable means such as welding. After assembly the bottom member  13  will have a right front corner  540 , a left front corner  541 , a right back corner  542  and a left back corner  543 . The size of top member  12  and the bottom member  13  can be changed depending on application. Increasing or decreasing the size of the top member  12  and the bottom member  13  allows larger or smaller shelf members to be used. 
         [0045]    The vertical supports  30 - 35  have top ends  504 - 509  and bottom ends  520 - 525 . The vertical supports  30 - 35  determine the height of the storage rack system  5 . Depending on application, the vertical supports  30 - 35  can be increased or decreased, thereby increasing or decreasing the height of the storage rack system  5 . The vertical supports  30 - 35  also provide attachment points for the vertical adjustment pillars  41 - 46 . The vertical adjustment pillars  41 - 46  have top ends  510 - 515  and bottom ends  526 - 531 . The vertical adjustment pillars  41 - 46  are attached to the vertical supports  30 - 35  by any suitable means such as welding. The vertical adjustment pillars  41 - 46  have holes that are drilled at predetermined increments from the top ends  510 - 515  to the bottom ends  526 - 531 . In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the holes are drilled at 2-inch increments. 
         [0046]    The frame  10  is assembled in the following manner. The bottom end  520  of the vertical support  30  and the bottom end  526  of the vertical adjustment pillar  41  are attached to the right front corner  540  of the bottom member  13  by any suitable means such as welding. The bottom end  522  of the vertical support  32  and the bottom end  528  of the vertical adjustment pillar  43  are attached to the right back corner  542  of the bottom member  13  by any suitable means such as welding. The bottom end  523  of the vertical support  33  and the bottom end  529  of the vertical adjustment pillar  44  are attached to the left front corner  541  of the bottom member  13  by any suitable means such as welding. The bottom end  525  of the vertical support  35  and the bottom end  531  of the vertical adjustment pillar  46  are attached to the left back corner  543  of the bottom member  13  by any suitable means such as welding. The bottom end  521  of the vertical support  31  and the bottom end  527  of the vertical adjustment pillar are attached at the midpoint of side  517  by any suitable means such as welding. The bottom end  523  of the vertical support  34  and the bottom end  529  of the vertical adjustment pillar  45  are attached at the midpoint of the side  519  by any suitable means such as welding. 
         [0047]    The top end  504  of the vertical support  30  and the top end  510  of the vertical adjustment pillar  41  are attached to the right front corner  536  of the top member  12  by any suitable means such as welding. The top end  506  of the vertical support  32  and the top end  512  of the vertical adjustment pillar  43  are attached to the right back corner  538  of the top member  12  by any suitable means such as welding. The top end  507  of the vertical support  33  and the top end  513  of the vertical adjustment pillar  44  are attached to the left front corner  537  of the top member  12  by any suitable means such as welding. The top end  509  of the vertical support  35  and the top end  515  of the vertical adjustment pillar  46  are attached to the left back corner  539  of the top member  12  by any suitable means such as welding. The top end  505  of the vertical support  31  and the top end  511  of the vertical adjustment pillar  42  are attached at the midpoint of side  501  by any suitable means such as welding. The top end  508  of the vertical support  34  and the top end  514  of the vertical adjustment pillar  45  are attached at the midpoint of the side  503  by any suitable means such as welding. The brace  11  is placed between vertical supports  32  and  35  and attached by any suitable means such as welding. 
         [0048]    In  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  8 ,  9 ,  10 , and  11 , there are shown shelf members  15  and  16 . In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the shelf member  15  and  16  are identical. Consequently, only shelf member  15  will be described, and it should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the components described in reference to the shelf member  15  are contained in the shelf member  16 . Further, while the preferred embodiment of the invention discloses two shelf members  15  and  16 , those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that that a storage rack system  5  may include only one shelf member or multiple shelf members. 
         [0049]    The shelf member  15  is comprised of a shelf  110 , a shelf support tray  111 , a base support  100 , and a driver  200 . In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the driver  200  is a pneumatic cylinder, although those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize other drivers such as a hydraulic driver, an electric motor, a chain drive, a belt and pulley, rack and pinion, or the like. The shelf  110  in the preferred embodiment of the invention is comprised of a front support bar  113 , a rear support bar  114 , a support grid  117 , a surface plate  123 , guide rails  124 - 125 , a front driver support plate  112 , and bearings  201 - 204 . In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the front support bar  113 , the rear support bar  114 , the support grid  117 , the surface plate  123 , the guide rails  124 - 125 , and the front driver support plate  112  are all constructed using steel. 
         [0050]    The shelf  110  is constructed by placing the front support bar  113  and the rear support bar  114  parallel to each other and at a desired distance to create the desired size of the shelf  110 . The support grid  117  is positioned between and the front support bar  113  and the rear support bar  114  and attached by any suitable means such as welding. The guide rails  124 - 125  are then placed at the ends of front support bar  113 , the rear support bar  114 , and the support grid  117 , and attached by any suitable means such as welding. The surface plate  123  is placed over the front support bar  113 , the rear support bar  114 , the support grid  117 , the guide rails  124 - 125 , and attached by any suitable means such as welding. The front driver support plate  112  is attached to the front support bar  113  by any suitable means such as welding. The driver  200  is attached to the front driver support plate  112  by any suitable means such as nuts and bolts. After assembly the shelf  110  will have a right front corner  600 , left front corner  601 , midpoints  602  and  603 , a right back corner  604 , and a left back corner  605 . 
         [0051]      FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate the position of the bearings  201 - 204 . The bearing  201  is attached to the guide rail  124  at a midpoint  602  of the shelf  110  by any suitable means such as a nut and bolt. The bearing  202  is attached to the guide rail  124  at the right back corner  604  of the shelf  110  by any suitable means such as a nut and bolt. The bearing  203  is attached to the guide rail  125  at a midpoint  603  of the shelf  110  by any suitable means such as a nut and bolt. The bearing  204  is attached to the guide rail  125  at the left back corner  605  of the shelf  110  by any suitable means such as a nut and bolt. The rolling surface of the bearings  201 - 204  are oriented so that they face outward from the shelf  110  and towards the shelf support tray  111 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 2 ,  8 ,  9 ,  10 ,  11  illustrate the shelf support tray  111 . The shelf support tray  111  is comprised of guide rails  150 - 151 , stops  152 - 159 , rubber sleeves  160 - 167 , support beams  168 - 170 , and a back plate  171 . In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the guide rails  150  and  151  are of I-beam construction. The guide rail  150  has a front end  172  and a back end  174 . The guide rail  151  has a front end  173  and a back end  175 . The guide rail  150  has a frame side channel  180  and a shelf side channel  181 . The guide rail  151  has a frame side channel  182  and shelf side  183 . 
         [0053]    The shelf support tray  111  is constructed by orienting support beams  168 - 170  parallel to each other. The guide rails  150 - 151  are then laid perpendicular and on top of the support beams  168 - 170 . The guide rails  150 - 151  are positioned at the ends of support beams  168 - 170  and then attached by any suitable means such as welding. The back plate  171  is then attached to the back ends  174  and  175  of the guide rails  150 - 151  by any suitable means such as welding. 
         [0054]      FIGS. 2 ,  7 ,  9 ,  10  and  11  illustrate the base support  100 . The base support  100  is comprised of the shelf support rails  51  and  52 , the bearings  251 - 254 , and the rear driver support plate  60 .  FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate the placement of bearings  251 - 254 . The bearing  251  is attached to the shelf support rail  51  behind the vertical support  30  using any suitable means such as a nut and bolt. The bearing  252  is attached to the shelf support rail  51  behind the vertical support  31  using any suitable means such as a nut and bolt. The bearing  253  is attached to the shelf support rail  52  behind the vertical support  33  by any suitable means such as a nut and bolt. The bearing  254  is attached to the shelf support rail  52  behind the vertical support  34  by any suitable means such as a nut and bolt. 
         [0055]    The shelf member  15  is assembled as follows. The shelf support rail  51  is placed into a desired location within the frame  10  and attached to the vertical adjustment pillars  41 - 43  by any suitable means such as a nut and bolt. The shelf support rail  52  is placed into a position opposite shelf support rail  52  within the frame  10 , and attached to the vertical adjustment pillars  44 - 46  by any suitable means such as a nut and bolt. The rear driver support plate  60  is placed into the proper position relative to the shelf support rails  51  and  52  and attached to vertical adjustment pillars  43  and  46  by any suitable means such as a nut and bolt. 
         [0056]    The shelf  110  is oriented so that the bearings  201  and  202  slide into the shelf side channel  181  of the guide rail  150 . The bearings  203  and  204  of the shelf  110  slide into the shelf side channel  183  of the guide rail  151 . The shelf side channel  181  and  183  allow the bearings  201 - 204  to roll freely within the shelf support tray  111 . The guide rail  150  lines up with bearings  251  and  252  of the shelf support rail  51 , and the guide rail  151  lines up with the bearings  253  and  254  of the shelf support rail  52 . The bearings  251  and  252  slide into the frame side channel  180  of the guide rail  150 . The bearings  253  and  254  slide into the frame side channel  182  of the guide rail  151 . The frame side channel  180  and  182  allow the bearings  251 - 254  to roll freely within the shelf support tray  111 . The shelf member  15  is then rolled into place so that the shelf member  15  fits within the frame  10 . The stops  152 - 159  and the rubber sleeves  160 - 167  are then attached to the front and back ends  172 - 175  of the guide rails the of  150  and  151 . It should be noted that rubber sleeves  160 - 167  prevent damage from occurring to the bearings  201 - 204  and the bearings  251 - 254  when they come into contact with the stops  152 - 159 . The driver  200  is then attached to the rear driver support plate  60  by any suitable means such as nuts and bolts. 
         [0057]    The shelf member  15  extends and retracts in the following manner. As air is fed into the rear of the driver  200  from the drive system  25 , the shelf member  15  begins to extend. In particular, the shelf  110  begins to roll forward. The shelf  110  continues to roll forward until the bearings  201  and  203  come into contact with the stops  152  and  154  and the rubber sleeves  160  and  162 . The progress of shelf  110  is halted and the shelf support tray  111  begins to move forward. The shelf support tray  111  moves forward until the stops  157  and  159  come into contact with the bearings  252  and  254  thereby halting the progress of the shelf support tray  111 . 
         [0058]    The shelf member  15  retracts as follows. As air from the drive system  25  is fed to the front of the driver  200 , the shelf  110  begins to retract. The shelf  110  continues to roll backward until the bearings  202  and  204  make contact with the stops  156  and  159  and with the rubber sleeves  165  and  167 . After contact the progress of the shelf  110  is halted and the shelf support tray  111  begins to roll backward. The shelf support tray  111  continues to roll backward until the bearings  251  and  253  make contact with stops  153  and  155  and rubber sleeves  161  and  163 , thereby halting the progress of the shelf support tray  111  and shelf member  15 . 
         [0059]    The construction of shelf member  15  allows the shelf  110  to substantially, completely extend.  FIG. 11  illustrates how this is accomplished. The shelf member  15  includes the shelf  110  and the shelf support tray  111 . When the shelf  110  is fully extended, part of the shelf  110  is still contained within the frame  10 . However, as the shelf support tray  111  extends, it permits the shelf  110  to fully extend past the frame  10 , thus allowing full access to the shelf  110 . When the shelf support tray  111  is fully extended, part of the shelf support tray  111  is still contained within the frame  10 , which provides the necessary support so that the shelf  110  can fully extend, yet still be supported within the frame  10 . 
         [0060]    In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the adjustment holes within the vertical adjustment pillars  41 - 46  permit the positions of the shelf members  15  and  16  to adjust vertically within the frame  10 . The shelf members  15  and  16  adjust identically; consequently only shelf member  15  will be described herein. The adjustment of the shelf member  15  is accomplished by removing the attachments from the shelf support rails  51  and  52  of the base support  100 . The attachments from the rear driver support plate  60  are also removed. The shelf member  15  is then raised or lowered to the desired position and the shelf support rails  51  and  52  of the base support  100  are reattached to the vertical adjustment pillars  41 - 46 . The rear driver support plate  60  is reattached to the vertical adjustment pillars  43  and  46  in the appropriate position relative to the shelf support rails  51  and  52 . It should be noted that the placement of the driver  200  is also important. In other storage systems, drivers are attached to the frame. However, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the driver  200  attaches to the shelf  110  at the front driver support plate  112  and at the rear driver support plate  60 . This placement of the driver  200  permits full extension and retraction of the shelf  110  while also allowing the shelf member  15  to be vertically adjustable within the frame  10 . 
         [0061]      FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6  and  12  illustrate the components comprising the drive system  25  of the storage rack system  5 . It should be noted that, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the drive system  25  is a pneumatic drive system; however, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize many suitable alternative drive systems such as a hydraulic drive system, an electric drive system, or the like. The drive system  25  includes start systems  300  and  301 , a manifold  303 , a regulator/air filter  304 , air valve switches  305  and  306 , air valves  307  and  308 , limit switches  309  and  310 , air lines  350 - 373 , and contact points  700  and  701 . 
         [0062]    The start systems  300  and  301  are the user interface for the storage rack system  5 , and, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, they are push button valves  315 - 318 . The start system  300  controls the shelf member  15  and the start system  301  controls the shelf member  16 . The start systems  300  and  301  have two buttons each. The start system  300  has a button labeled “out” which controls the push button valve  315  and a button labeled “in” which controls the push button valve  316 . The start system  301  has a button labeled “out” which controls the push button valve  317  and a button labeled “in” which controls the push button valve  318 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 6  illustrates the regulator/air filter  304 . The regulator/air filter  304  is the component where outside air enters the drive system  25  using any suitable means such as a compressor or air bottle. The regulator/air filter  304  regulates air pressure and filters the air within the drive system  25 . The regulator/air filter  304  also has a lockout system so that air cannot be sent to the drive system  25 . This can be useful if the operator wants to prevent unauthorized use of the storage rack system  5 . In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the regulator/air filter  304  can be locked using a pad lock. Locking the regulator/air filter  304  prevents air from entering the drive system  25  thereby preventing the shelf members  15  and  16  from extending. 
         [0064]    The manifold  303  which receives air from the regulator/air filter  304  distributes air evenly throughout the drive system  25 . The manifold  303  distributes air to the start systems  300  and  301 , the air valves switches  305  and  306 , the air valves  307  and  308 , and the limit switches  309  and  310 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 12  illustrates the air valve switches  305  and  306 . The air valve switch  305  switches air between the front and the back of the driver  200 , while the air valve switch  306  switches air between the front and the back of a driver  400  for the shelf member  16 . This allows the driver  200  or the driver  400  to either extend or retract. 
         [0066]      FIGS. 4 and 12  illustrate the limit switches  309  and  310 . The limit switches  309  and  310  are a safety mechanism for the drive system  25 . Problems could arise if the shelf members  15  and  16  extended at the same time or if one shelf member  15  or  16  extends when the other is already extended. In particular, the storage rack system  5  may tip over or an operator might be struck by one of the shelf members  15  or  16 . When engaged the limit switches  309  and  310  prevent either shelf member  15  and  16  from operating. The operation of limit switches  309  and  310  will be explained in greater detail below. 
         [0067]    The operation of the drive system  25  is as follows. An operator presses and holds down the “out” button on the start system  300 . This allows air that flows into the push button valve  315  from the air line  370  to pass into the air line  350 . The air travels through the air line  350  and into a first side of the valve switch  305 . The air from the push button valve  315  shifts a piston inside the valve switch  305  away from the first side of the valve switch  305  such that air flows from the regulator/air filter  304  into the valve switch  305  via the air line  359 . When the piston shifts away from the first side of the valve switch  305 , the valve switch  305  routes air into the air line  351 , which, in turn, delivers the air into the back of the driver  200 . This air entering the back of the driver  200  results in the extension of the driver  200 . 
         [0068]    As the driver  200  extends, the shelf member  15  extends such that the contact point  700  breaks contact with the limit switch  309 . The regulator/air filter  304  feeds air to the limit switch  309  through the air line  352 . However, as long as the limit switch  309  keeps in contact with the shelf member  15 , air does not pass through limit switch  309 . Conversely, when the contact point  700  on the shelf member  15  separates from the limit switch  309 , air passes through the limit switch  309  and into the air line  353 . The air travels through the air line  353  and into the air valve  307 , which shifts a piston inside the air valve  307 . When the piston shifts, air flows from the regulator/air filter  304  through the air valve  307  via the air line  355 . Air exiting the air valve switch  307  travels through the air line  383  and enters the splitter  320 . The splitter  320  sends air through the air lines  356  and  357 . The air from the airlines  356  and  357  travels into the push button valves  317  and  318  of the start system  301 . A piston inside each of the push button valves  317  and  318  locks thereby preventing operation of the push button valves  317  and  318  and thus the operation of the shelf member  16 . 
         [0069]    To retract the shelf member  15 , an operator presses and holds down the “in” button on the start system  300 . This allows air that flows into the push button valve  316  from the air line  370  to pass into the air line  358 . The air travels through the air line  358  and into the air valve switch  305 . The air travels through the air line  358  and into a second side of the valve switch  305 . The air from the push button valve  316  shifts a piston inside the valve switch  305  away from the second side of the valve switch  305  such that air flows from the regulator/air filter  304  into the valve switch  305  via the air line  359 . When the piston shifts away from the second side of the valve switch  305 , the valve switch  305  routes air into the air line  360 , which, in turn, delivers the air into the front of the driver  200 . This air entering the front of the driver  200  results in the retraction of the driver  200 . 
         [0070]    As the driver  200  retracts, the shelf member  15  retracts such that the contact point  700  comes into contact with the limit switch  309 . This contact closes the limit switch  309  and cuts off air flow through the air line  353  to the air valve  307 . With its air flow cut off, the air valve  307  closes which stops air flow to the push button valves  317  and  318  via the air line  383  and the splitter  320 . This releases the lock out of the push button valves  317  and  318  resulting in the shelf member  16  again becoming operational. 
         [0071]    Shelf member  16  extends and retracts in the same matter. An operator presses and holds down the “out” button on the start system  301 . This allows air that flows into the push button valve  317  from the air line  371  to pass into the air line  361 . The air travels through the air line  361  and into the valve switch  306 . The air from the push button valve  317  shifts a piston inside the valve switch  306  away from the first side of the valve switch  306  such that air flows from the regulator/air filter  304  into the valve switch  306  via the air line  362 . When the piston shifts away from the first side of the valve switch  306 , the valve switch  306  routes air into the air line  363 , which, in turn, delivers the air into the back of the driver  400 . This air entering the back of the driver  400  results in the extension of the driver  400 . 
         [0072]    As the driver  400  extends, the shelf member  16  extends such that the contact point  701  breaks contact with the limit switch  310 . The regulator/air filter  304  feeds air to the limit switch  310  through the air line  364 . However, as long as the limit switch  310  keeps in contact with the shelf member  16 , air does not pass through limit switch  310 . Conversely, when the contact point  701  of the shelf member  16  separates from the limit switch  310 , air passes through the limit switch  310  and into the air line  365 . The air travels through the air line  365  and into the air valve  308 , which shifts a piston inside the air valve  308 . When the piston shifts, air flows from the regulator/air filter  304  through the air valve  308  via the air line  366 . Air exiting the air valve switch  308  travels through the air line  367  and enters the splitter  321 . The splitter  321  sends air through the air lines  368  and  369 . The air from the airlines  368  and  369  travels into the push button valves  315  and  316  of the start system  300 . A piston inside each of the push button valves  315  and  316  locks thereby preventing operation of the push button valves  315  and  316  and thus the operation of the shelf member  15 . 
         [0073]    To retract the shelf member  16 , an operator presses and holds down the “in” button on the start system  301 . This allows air that flows into the push button valve  318  from the air line  371  to pass into the air line  372 . The air travels through the air line  372  and into the air valve switch  306 . The air travels through the air line  372  and into a second side of the valve switch  306 . The air from the push button valve  318  shifts a piston inside the valve switch  306  away from the second side of the valve switch  306  such that air flows from the regulator/air filter  304  into the valve switch  305  via the air line  362 . When the piston shifts away from the second side of the valve switch  306 , the valve switch  306  routes air into the air line  373 , which, in turn, delivers the air into the front of the driver  400 . This air entering the front of the driver  400  results in the retraction of the driver  400 . 
         [0074]    The air causes the driver  400  to retract which, in turn, causes the shelf member  16  to retract. As the shelf member  16  retracts, the contact point  701  comes in contact with the limit switch  310 , thereby closing the limit switch  310  and cutting off air flow through the air line  365  to the air valve  308 . With its air flow cut off, the air valve  308  closes which stops air flow to the push button valves  315  and  316  via the air line  367  and the splitter  321 . This releases the lock out of the push button valves  315  and  316  resulting in the shelf member  15  again becoming operational. 
         [0075]    While the preferred embodiment of the invention discloses the drive system  25  controlling two shelf members  15  and  16 , those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the drive system  25  may be adapted to control a single shelf member or three or more shelf members. By way of example, a single shelf member configuration would require include one start system and one valve switch. Conversely, a three or more shelf configuration would include start systems, valve switches, limit switches, and air valves corresponding to the number of shelf members. 
         [0076]    Although the present invention has been described in terms of the foregoing embodiment, such description has been for exemplary purposes only and, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, many alternatives, equivalents, and variations of varying degrees will fall within the scope of the present invention. That scope, accordingly, is not to be limited in any respect by the foregoing description; rather, it is defined only by the claims that follow.