Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to shelving systems and methods that are adaptable to a number of applications, including building heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (“HVAC”) systems, shelving units for holding children&#39;s games and toys, closet organizers with hangers and shelves, storage systems in a garage or workshop, storage shelves over a garage door, and as a shelving unit for audio and visual equipment. The shelving unit includes a means for attachment to an overhead member, such as a steel beam, wood rafter, wood joist, wood beam, or ceiling, a generally J or L shaped bar, the ability to raise or lower the J or L shaped bar to provide for storage at different heights, an extension member removably coupled to the J or L bar, and wherein the extension member has a length that provides for storage space of different widths. In another aspect, an inverted shelving stand is provided. In still a further aspect, a U shaped swiveling hanging unit is provided.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/274,763 filed Oct. 17, 2011, now pending, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/006,316 filed Jan. 13, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,701,261. The entire contents of each of the aforementioned applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to improved systems and methods for hanging or standing shelving units for a number of applications including without limitation support units for building heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (“HVAC”) systems and components, as well as suspended shelving units for holding, for example, children&#39;s games and toys, closet organizers with hangers and shelves, adjustable pipe hangers with preset means to ensure proper drainage pitch, for storage space in a garage or workshop, storage shelves over a garage door, and as a hanging unit for audio/visual equipment. 
       DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
       [0003]    Interior spaces of homes and other buildings are typically provided with areas for storage and storage solutions which are not adequate for the storage needed in the home or building. Hangers for mounting HVAC units, hanging pipes, and storing other items in a building are known in the prior art. More specifically, by way of example, U.S. PreGrant Publication No. 2007/0145222 to Rausch discloses a method and device for a hanging apparatus that is used to support ductwork, pipes, wiring, conduit and the like from support beams such as I-Joists. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,596,962 to Karamanos discloses, prior to installation into a HVAC system a fully-functional zone-control unit which also includes a pair of caps which seal the ends of the piping assemblies, and a pressure gauge for sensing pressurization of the piping assemblies and coil which the caps seal. A pressure gauge permits testing to insure that the piping assemblies and coil are leak free. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,261,256 to Pattie, et al. discloses a variable-duct support assembly for mounting a duct. The variable-duct support assembly includes rails having a groove which has a pair of support brackets for supporting ducts. The support brackets are coupled to one or more flexible bands for clamping the duct between the support brackets and the flexible bands. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,083,151 to Rapp discloses a laterally-reinforced duct saddle for hanging a length of horizontal flexible duct from a supporting structure. The duct saddle includes a generally flat, elongated blank adapted for bending around and receiving a portion of the flexible duct. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,866,579 to Pilger discloses a boot hanger mounting bracket assembly formed of a sturdy yet bendable material so that it can be configured and adjusted on-site. Once configured, the boot hanger mounting bracket assembly is secured to the building structure by securing a pair of boot hanger arms to the ceiling joists, wall studs or other support structure to provide a positive inexpensive way to mount the duct components. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,719,247 to Botting discloses a hanger for seating a flexible duct. The hanger has one end that can be attached to a support structure, such as a beam or joist, and a second end with a cradle for receiving a duct that can be freely seated in the cradle. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,741,030 to Moore, et al. discloses an air duct starting collar having integral clips used for installation in a planar surface of an air duct. A flange of the device permits variance in hole size, and roughness of the hole&#39;s edge. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    In one aspect, an apparatus is provided for a hanging shelving unit having at least one arm adapted to be attached at its top end to a steel beam, wood rafter, wood joist, wood beam, or ceiling, a bar adapted to be slidably coupled to the arm having a first horizontally extending arm located at the bottom of the bar to form a J bar, clearance openings located in the arm and in the J bar for receiving fasteners for attaching the arm to the J bar to raise or lower the first horizontally extending arm to provide for storage at different heights, a first extension member removably coupled to the first vertically displaced horizontally extending arm, and wherein the first extension member has a length that provides for storage space of different widths and is adapted to be removably attached to a first vertically displaced horizontally extending arm on an opposing J bar. 
         [0011]    In another aspect, an apparatus is provided for a standing shelving unit having at least one leg adapted to be attached at its bottom end to a steel beam, wood rafter, wood joist, or wood beam, a bar adapted to be slidably coupled to the leg having a first horizontally extending arm located at the top of the bar to form a L bar, clearance openings located in the leg and in the L bar for receiving fasteners for attaching the leg to the L bar to raise or lower the first horizontally extending arm to provide for storage at different heights, a first extension member removably coupled to the first vertically displaced horizontally extending arm, and wherein the first extension member has a length that provides for storage space of different widths and is adapted to be removably attached to a first vertically displaced horizontally extending arm on an opposing L bar. 
         [0012]    In yet another aspect, a method for hanging the adjustable shelving unit is provided. 
         [0013]    In a further aspect, a method for securing the standing adjustable shelving unit is provided. 
         [0014]    One advantage of the present development resides in the versatility of the shelving unit which provides for a variety of widths and heights to provide a hanging or standing shelving unit that can be used for a number of applications including building heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (“HVAC”) systems, a shelving unit for holding children&#39;s games and toys, as a closet organizer with hangers and shelves, for storage space in a garage or workshop, storage shelves over a garage door, and as an audio/visual equipment hanging unit. 
         [0015]    Another advantage of the present development is the ability to easily adjust the height of the hanging or standing unit. 
         [0016]    Still another advantage of the present development is the ability to easily add additional shelves to the unit and to adjust the height to accommodate what needs to be stored. 
         [0017]    Other benefits and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the preferred embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The invention may take form in various components and arrangements of components, and in various steps and arrangements of steps. The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a side view of the rear left and rear right hanging arms of the support unit, the front left and front right hanging arms not being shown, where the hanging arms consist of upper paddle arms attached at their upper ends to separate support members and at their lower ends to a J shaped bar having an upper horizontal extension for receiving a telescoping connecting member for supporting an HVAC unit and a telescoping lower horizontal extension for receiving a telescoping extension for supporting an emergency drain pan; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the rear left and rear right hanging arms of the support unit, the front left and front right hanging arms not being shown, where the hanging arms consist of upper paddle arms which are turned ninety degrees and are attached at their upper ends to a common support member, and at their lower ends to “J” shaped bars having an upper horizontal extension for receiving an AC unit and a lower horizontal extension for receiving an emergency drain pan. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of a second embodiment support unit, having front and rear, left and right hanging arms, where the hanging arms consist of a means of attachment at their upper ends to a support member or the ceiling, and at their lower ends to “J” shaped bars having a horizontal extension for holding various items, including HVAC units, clothes, toys, games, television and audio visual equipment, and the like. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4A  is a fully retracted side view of the embodiment appearing in  FIG. 3 , having rear left and rear right hanging arms of the support unit, the front left and front right hanging arms not being shown, where the hanging arms consist of an attachment section and are attached at their upper ends to a common support member, and at their lower ends to “J” shaped bars having a horizontal extension for receiving an AC unit and a drain pan support member for receiving an emergency drain pan. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4B  is a fully expanded side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4A , having rear left and rear right hanging arms of the support unit, the front left and front right hanging arms not being shown, where the hanging arms consist of an attachment section and are attached at their upper ends to a common support member, and at their lower ends to “J” shaped bars having a horizontal extension for receiving an AC unit and a drain pan support member for receiving an emergency drain pan. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4C  is a fully retracted side view of the support member appearing in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . 
           [0025]      FIG. 4D  is a fully expanded side view of the support member appearing in  FIGS. 4A-4C . 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is an exploded side view of the support unit embodiment appearing in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 A and  4 B. 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is a side view of a third embodiment support unit, having front and rear, left and right hanging arms, where the hanging arms consist of a means of attachment at their upper ends to a support member or the ceiling, and at their lower ends to “J” shaped bars having a horizontal extension for holding various items, and a plurality of the shelves and hanging bars for holding various items, including HVAC units, clothes, toys, games, and the like. 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is a side view of a forth embodiment support unit, having front and rear, left and right hanging arms, where the hanging arms consist of a means of attachment at their upper ends to a support member or the ceiling, at their lower ends to “J” shaped bars having a horizontal extension for holding various items such as DVD players, blue ray players, cable boxes, and the like, and an upper shelf having a horizontal extension for holding a television unit. 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is a side view of a fifth embodiment support unit, having front and rear, left and right hanging arms, where the hanging arms consist of a means of attachment at their upper ends to a support member, ceiling, or closet system, at their lower ends to “J” shaped bars having a horizontal extension and adjustable shelves for holding various items such as clothes, toys, games, and the like. 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of a sixth embodiment support unit for hanging over a garage door, having front and rear, left and right hanging arms, where the hanging arms consist of a means of attachment at their upper ends to a support member or ceiling, at their lower ends to “J” shaped bars having a horizontal extension and a plurality of supports for holding various items such as tools, yard equipment, and the like. 
           [0031]      FIG. 10A  is a fully expanded front view of the support unit, having front right and front left standing legs, the rear right and rear left standing legs not being shown, where the standing legs consist of an attachment section and are attached at their lower ends to a common support member, and at their upper ends to bars at right angles having a horizontal extension. 
           [0032]      FIG. 10B  is a fully retracted front view of the support unit embodiment appearing in  FIG. 10A . 
           [0033]      FIG. 10C  is a partially expanded side view of the support unit embodiment of  FIGS. 10A and 10B , having front right and rear right standing legs and a right center support member, the front left and rear left standing legs and the left center support member not being shown, where the standing legs consist of an attachment section and are attached at their lower ends to a common support member, at their upper ends to bars at right angles having a horizontal extension, and center support members attached to and connecting the bars of the front right and rear right standing legs and the bars of the front left and rear left standing legs. 
           [0034]      FIG. 10D  is a fully retracted side view of the support unit embodiment appearing in  FIG. 10C . 
           [0035]      FIG. 11A  is an exploded front view of the support unit embodiment appearing in  FIGS. 10A-10D . 
           [0036]      FIG. 11B  is an exploded side view of the support member appearing in  FIGS. 10A-10D . 
           [0037]      FIG. 12  is an isometric view of a support unit similar to the embodiment appearing in  FIGS. 10A-10D  and  11 A- 11 B except the corner joint is a tee joint in this embodiment. 
           [0038]      FIG. 13  is an enlarged exploded view of one of the lower legs in  FIG. 12  with a first alternative embodiment base plate. 
           [0039]      FIG. 14  is an enlarged exploded view of one of the lower legs in  FIG. 12  with a second alternative embodiment base plate. 
           [0040]      FIG. 15  is an isometric view of a further alternative embodiment of a support unit similar to the embodiment appearing in  FIGS. 12  wherein the base plates are omitted. 
           [0041]      FIG. 16  is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment support unit, having left and right hanging arms, where the hanging arms consist of a means of attachment at their upper ends to a support member or the ceiling, and at their lower ends to “U” shaped bar having an attachment mechanism for holding various items, including HVAC units, television and audio visual equipment, hanging storage units, pot racks, and the like. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0042]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2  the support unit embodiment disclosed is composed of four upper arms adapted to be connected to four “J” shaped bars where each J shaped bar has an upper horizontal extension for receiving an HVAC unit and a lower horizontal extension for receiving an emergency drain pan. The upper arms and the J bars are composed of square metal tubing precut to size and fabricated to shape. The upper arms and the J bars have drilled or punched openings located on centers which are between one and two inches for adjustability. The upper arms are sized to telescope into and out of the J bars to provide for different height adjustments. 
         [0043]    Each J bar has two horizontal arms where the upper horizontal arm is used to provide support for an HVAC unit and the lower horizontal arm is used to provide support for an emergency drain pan. Each horizontal arm is sized to telescope into a connecting sleeve and the horizontal arms and connection sleeves have openings for receiving ringed clevis pins or nuts and bolts to lock the two together. Extension members of various lengths are available which telescope into the coupling sleeves for adjusting the width between the left and right J bars to the width of the HVAC unit which is to be supported by the air handler support unit. The extension members and the coupling sleeves each have openings which are spaced apart by between one and two inches, more or less for receiving ringed clevis pins or nuts and bolts to lock the two together for different dimension applications. 
         [0044]    The paddle arms each have at their upper ends a flat plate which is adapted to be located next to a wood support member and has openings which are provided to receive bolts or screws which are used to attach the paddle arm to a wood support member such as a wood rafter, joist or beam. 
         [0045]    In another embodiment the flat plate at the upper ends of the paddle arms is adapted to receive at least one C clamp which is used to attach the paddle arms to steel beams. 
         [0046]    The air handler support unit disclosed telescopes both horizontally and vertically to accommodate units having various heights and widths. The spacing between the front and rear paddle arms is varied to accommodate the length of the HVAC unit. The support unit bottom shelf may be outfitted with two “H” hangers to receive the telescoping emergency drain pan horizontal arm, which can be relocated to the upper shelf to help in removing internal parts of each unit. The entire support unit disclosed is adjustable to receive HVAC units of different heights, widths and lengths. 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is disclosed a side view of the rear left hanging arm  10  and rear right hanging arm  12  of the air handler support unit, the front left and front right hanging arms not shown, where each hanging arm consists of an upper paddle arm  14  and a “J” bar  16  at its lower end. In this embodiment each of the hanging arms, the left and right rear hanging arms and the left and right front hanging arms are similar in all aspects and, therefore, the detailed description of the rear left hanging arm which follows applies to each of the other hanging arms. 
         [0048]    Upper paddle arm  14  is a square tube composed of steel and having a length of about twenty four inches, more or less. The top of the paddle arm  14  is welded to a flat plate  18  having a length of about eight inches, a width of about three inches and a thickness of about one-eighth of an inch, more or less. The flat plate  18  has two columns of openings  20 , (see  FIG. 2 ), which are sized for receiving screws or bolts for attaching the paddle arm  14  to a wood support member such as a wood rafter, joist or beam. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1  the upper paddle arms are attached to separate wood rafters, joists or rafters. 
         [0049]    The paddle arm  14  has a first plurality of openings  24  located at spaced apart intervals (e.g., on two inch centers) which are parallel to the width of the flat plate, and a second plurality of openings  26 , (see  FIG. 2 ), located at spaced apart intervals (e.g., on two inch centers) which are transverse to the width of the flat plate and are located between the first plurality of openings  24 . The paddle arm  14  which is a square tube composed of steel with an outside dimension of between one-half of an inch and one inch, more or less, telescopes into the J bar  16 . The J bar  16  is a square tube composed of steel with an inside dimension which makes a sliding fit with the outside dimension of paddle arm  14  and has a length of about twenty two and one-half inches, more or less. Located at the bottom of the J bar  16  are two horizontally extending arms  28 ,  30  which are welded to the J bar  16  and are vertically displaced from each other by a distance of about five inches, more or less. Each arm  28 ,  30  is a square tube with a width that is similar to the width of the tube  14 , is made of steel, has a length of about two inches, more or less, and telescopes into connecting sleeves  32 ,  34 . The J bar  16  and horizontal arms  28 ,  30  have clearance openings for receiving ringed Clevis pins or nuts and bolts for attaching the J bar  16  to the paddle arm  14  and the arms  28 ,  30  to connecting sleeves  32 ,  34 . Connecting sleeves  32 ,  34  each have a length of about fourteen inches, more or less. 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is disclosed a side view of the rear left and rear right hanging arms of the support unit, the front left and front right hanging arms not shown, where the support unit of  FIG. 2  differs from  FIG. 1  only in that the upper paddle arms of the hanging arms are turned ninety degrees and are attached at their upper ends to a common support member rather than to separate support members such as a wood rafter, joist or beam  36  with bolts or screws. 
         [0051]    Each J bar telescopes over and is adjustably attached to a paddle arm which allows for different height adjustments from twenty six inches to forty inches in two inch increments. Connecting sleeves  32 ,  34  on opposing horizontally extending arms  32 ,  34  of the J bars telescope around horizontal extension members  38  for different width adjustments of between twenty eight inches and forty inches in two inch increments. 
         [0052]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3 ,  4 A- 4 B, and  5  there appears a second embodiment of the support unit  100  having four hanging arms  102  and where each hanging arm  102  consists of an upper arm  104  and a “J” bar  106  at its lower end. The upper arms  104  are a square tube composed of steel or another metal/metal alloy and the top of the upper arms  104  having a first plurality of openings  108  on the front and rear of upper arms  104 , three openings in the preferred embodiment, which are sized for receiving screws, bolts, or the like for attaching the upper arms  104  to hang the support unit  100  to a steel beam, wood rafter, wood joist, wood beam, ceiling, or the like. If the first plurality of openings  108  does not align with the desired support member the upper arms  104  may be rotated ninety degrees to align with the desired support member for attachment using a screw, bolt, or the like. Alternatively, the arms  104  may have a plurality of openings  109  on the left and right of the upper arms  104 , three openings in the preferred embodiment, offset from the first plurality of openings  108  which are sized for receiving screws, bolts, or the like for attaching the upper arms  104  to hang the support unit  100  to a steel beam, wood rafter, wood joist, wood beam, ceiling, or the like. 
         [0053]    In the present embodiment, a second plurality of openings  130  of the upper arms  104  are located at spaced apart intervals (e.g., on two inch centers) on the front and rear of the square tube, and a third plurality of openings  136 , are located at spaced apart intervals (e.g., on two inch centers) on the left and right side of the square tube offset from the second plurality of openings  130 . The second and third plurality of openings  130  and  136 , respectively, are located at a desired interval for the intended use of the support unit  100 . The upper arms  104  telescope into the J bars  106 . The J bars  106  may be square tubes composed, for example, of steel or other metal or metal alloy with an inside dimension which makes a sliding fit with the outside dimension of the upper arms  104 . Located at the bottom of each J bar  106  is a horizontally extending arm  110  which may be integral with the vertical portion of the J bar bent to form the horizontally extending portion  110  of the J bar  106 . Alternatively, the horizontal arms  110  may be separately formed and attached, e.g., by welding the horizontally extending arms  110  to the bottom of the upper portion of the J bars  106 . The arms  110  may be square tubes with the same width as the width of the vertically extending portion of the J bars  106 . 
         [0054]    The extension members  112  are telescopically received within the arms  110 . The J bars  106  and horizontal arms  110  have one or more clearance openings  114  for receiving fasteners  116  for securing the J bars and the telescopically received arms  104  and extension members  112  in fixed position. The fasteners  116  may be, for example, pins, Clevis pins, thumb screws, nuts and bolts, or the like for attaching the J bars  106  to the arms  104  and the horizontally extending arms  110  to the extension members  112 . Depending on the means used to secure the extension members  112  inside of the horizontally extending arms  110 , the extension members  112  may include a plurality of openings  132  evenly spaced apart along the member  112 . In the preferred exemplary embodiment the extension members  112  enable the support unit  100  to expand from approximately  32  inches wide to approximately  48  inches wide although other dimensions are contemplated. The extension members  112  are secured inside of the horizontally extending arms  110  via fasteners  116  which pass through the clearance openings  114  and into one of the plurality of openings  132  to secure the unit  100  at the desired width. 
         [0055]    One or more support members  118  may optionally be attached to the horizontal arms  110 . The support members  118  are attached to the arms  110  using coupling sleeves or hooks  120 . The coupling hook  120  at a first end of the support member  118  attaches to one horizontally extending arm  110  and the coupling hook  120  at a second end of the support member  118  attaches to a parallel horizontal arm  110 . The support members  118  provide additional support for items that are being stored on the support unit  100 . The support members  118  may be square tubes composed, for example, of steel or other metal or metal alloy with a dimension to hold the weight of the item selected for supporting. The coupling hooks  120  may be welded to the ends of the support members  118  and may be made of a sheet of steel or other metal or metal alloy which is bent to create three sides which slip over the square tubes of the horizontal arms  110 . The inside dimension of the coupling hooks  120  makes a sliding fit with the outside dimension of the horizontal arms  110 . 
         [0056]    In an alternative embodiment, the support members  118  may include two arms (not shown) where the first arms (not shown) telescope into the second arms (not shown) to increase and decrease the width between the horizontal arms  110  of the support unit  100 . The first and second arms (not shown) each having a coupling hook  120  attached at the outside end for securing to the horizontal arms  110 . The first and second arms may be square tubes composed of a metal or metal alloy (e.g., steel) with the inside dimension of the first arm making a sliding fit with the outside dimension of the second arm at their inside ends. 
         [0057]    As best seen in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 A- 4 D and  5  an optional pan support  122  having a lower pan  124  and “J” bars  126 . The “J” bars  126  have hooks  128  on the upper end for securing the pan support  122  to the arms  110  of the support unit  100  and are secured at the lower end to the pan  124 . In the exemplary embodiment, the pan  124  may be used to catch water from an HVAC unit that is not working properly. 
         [0058]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , there appears a further embodiment support unit  200  which may be used as a suspended shelving unit. The unit  200  may advantageously be used for holding children&#39;s games and toys, however, myriad of other uses are contemplated. The support unit  200  may be hung, for example, from the ceiling of a child&#39;s bedroom or playroom to provide additional storage for toys, games, stuffed animals, and the like. The support unit  200  includes four hanging arms  202 , where each hanging arm  202  consists of an upper arm  204  and a “J” bar  206  telescopically receiving the upper arm  204  at its lower end. The upper arms  204  may be a square tube and may be composed of steel or another metal or metal alloy. The top of the upper arm  204  having a first plurality of openings  208 , which are sized for receiving screws, bolts, or the like for attaching the upper arms  204  to hang the support unit  200  to a steel beam, wood rafter, wood joist, wood beam, ceiling, or the like. 
         [0059]    In the present embodiment, the first plurality of openings  208  of the upper arms  204  are located at spaced apart intervals (e.g., on two inch centers) on the front and rear of the square tube, and a second plurality of openings  209 , are located at spaced apart intervals (e.g., on two inch centers) on the left and right side of the square tube offset from the first plurality of openings  208 . The first and second plurality of openings  208  and  209 , respectively, are located at a desired interval for the intended use of the support unit  200 . The upper arms  204  telescope into the J bar  206  to raise and lower the height of the support unit  200 . The J bar  206  may be a square tube composed of a metal or metal alloy (e.g., steel) with an inside dimension which makes a sliding fit with the outside dimension of the upper arms  204 . 
         [0060]    Located at the bottom of the J bar  206  is one horizontally extending arm  210  which may be integral with the vertical portion of the J bar and bent to form the horizontally extending portion  210  of the J bar  206 . Alternatively, the horizontal arms  210  may be separately formed and attached, e.g., by welding the horizontally extending arms  210  to the bottom of the upper portion of the J bars  206 . The arms  210  may be square tubes with the same width as the width of the vertically extending portion of the J bars  206 . One or more additional horizontally extending arms  220  are located on the vertical portion of the J bar  206  above the horizontally extending arm  210  and are welded to the J bar  206 . Each arm  220  is a square tube with a width the same as the width of the horizontally extending arm  210 . The arms  220  may alternately be attached to the J bar  206  using coupling sleeves, the coupling sleeve may slide over the vertical portion of the J bar  206  and may be secured to the J bar  206  via a fastener. The extension member  212  telescopes into the arm  210  and each of the extension members  222  telescope into the corresponding and aligned arms  220 . The J bar  206  and horizontal arms  210  and  220  have clearance openings  214  for receiving fasteners  216  for securing the J bars  206  to the arms  204  and the telescopically received extension members  212  and  222  to the arms  210  and  220 , respectively, in a fixed position. The fasteners  216  may be, for example, pins, Clevis pins, thumb screws, nuts and bolts, or the like for attaching the J bars  206  to the arms  204  and the extension members  212  and  222  to the arms  210  and  220 . 
         [0061]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , there appears yet another embodiment support unit  300  which may advantageously be used as a hanging support unit for audio and/or video equipment, such as televisions and related audio and visual equipment. The support unit  300  includes four hanging arms  302 , where each hanging arm  302  consists of an upper arm  304  and a “J” bar  306  at its lower end. The upper arms  304  are square tubes composed of metal or metal alloy (e.g., steel). The top of the upper arm  304  has a first plurality of openings  308 , which are sized for receiving screws, bolts, or the like for attaching the upper arms  304  to hang the support unit to a steel beam, wood rafter, wood joist, wood beam, ceiling, or the like. For attachment to a finished ceiling, an attachment plate  324  may be secured to the top of each upper arm  304 . The attachment plate  324  has a plurality of openings  326 , four openings in the preferred exemplary embodiment, which are sized for receiving screws, bolts, or the like for attaching the upper arms  304  to a joist in the ceiling or anchoring the upper arms  304  into the drywall. 
         [0062]    The upper arms  304  and horizontally extending arms  310  are of the type described above with reference to  FIGS. 3-6 . The upper arms  304  are telescopically received into the J bars  306 . The J bars  306  are of the type described above with reference to  FIGS. 3-6 . Located at the bottom of the J bar  306  are two horizontally extending arms  310  and  320 . The arms  310  may be integral with the vertical portion of the J bar and bent to form the horizontally extending portions  310  of the J bar  306 , while the horizontal arms  320  may be separately formed and attached, e.g., by welding the horizontally extending arms  320  to the vertical portion of the J bars  306  at a desired separation above the horizontally extending arms  310 . Alternatively, the horizontal arms  310  may be separately formed and attached, e.g., by welding the horizontally extending arms  310  to the bottom of the vertical portion of the J bars  306 . The extension members  312  and  322  are telescopically received within the arms  310  and  320 , respectively, to obtain the desired separation between opposing J bars  306 . The extension members  312  and  322  are of the type described above with reference to  FIGS. 3-6 . 
         [0063]    The shelf created by arms  310  and extension members  312  may be used to hold audio and visual equipment, such as cable boxes, DVD players, game consoles, and the like. The shelf created by arms  320  and extension members  322  may be used to suspend a television from the ceiling at a desired height rather than mounting it onto a wall or supported on a stand. Although the illustrated embodiment shows two horizontal shelves, it will be recognized that additional supports may be inserted to provide additional support for the television and audio and visual components. 
         [0064]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , there appears another embodiment support unit  400  which may advantageously be used as a closet organizer with hangers and shelves. The support unit  400  includes four hanging arms  402  where each hanging arm  402  consists of an upper arm  404  and a “J” bar  406  at its lower end. The upper arms  404  are a square tube composed of a metal or metal alloy, such as steel. The top of the upper arm  404  having a first plurality of openings  408 , which are sized for receiving screws, bolts, or the like for attaching the upper arms  404  to hang the support unit  400  to a steel beam, wood rafter, wood joist, wood beam, ceiling, or the like. For attachment to a finished ceiling, an attachment plate not shown may be secured to the top of each upper arm  404 . The attachment plates may have a plurality of openings not shown, which are sized for receiving screws, bolts, or the like for attaching the upper arms  404  to a joist in the ceiling or anchoring the upper arms  404  into the ceiling drywall. 
         [0065]    The upper arms  404  and horizontally extending arms  410  are of the type described above with reference to  FIGS. 3-7 . The upper arms  404  telescope into the J bar  406 . The J bar  406  is of the type described above with reference to  FIGS. 3-7 . Located at the bottom of the J bar  406  are a plurality of horizontally extending arms, there are three horizontally extending arms in the preferred embodiment  410 ,  418 , and  422 . Although the illustrated embodiment shows three horizontal arms, it will be recognized that arms may be removed or additional arms may be added to provide more or less shelves for the shelving unit  400 . The horizontally extending arm  410  may be integral with the vertical portion of the J bar and bent to form the horizontally extending portion  410  of the J bar  406 , while the arms  418  and  422  may be secured onto the J bar  406  at a desired separation above the arm  410  using coupling sleeves  420 . The coupling sleeves  420  may be secured to the J bar  406  using fasteners  416 , e.g., pins, Clevis pins, nuts and bolts, or the like. Alternatively, the arms  410 ,  418  and  422  may be separately formed and attached, e.g. via welding, at fixed positions on the J bars  406 . 
         [0066]    The extension member  412  telescopes into arm  410  and is slidably adjustable to obtain the desired separation between opposing J bars  406 . The extension member  412  is of the type described above with reference to  FIGS. 3-7 . The arms  418  and  422  may come in a variety of sizes to correspond to the sizes of the arms  410  and extension member  412 . In one alternative embodiment, the arms  418  and  422  may be segmented, including an extension member in the center of the segmented arms  418  and  422  which telescopes into the arms  418  and  422  to allow for adjustment of the arms  418  and  422  in the same manner as arm  410 . In another alternative embodiment, the arms  418  and  422  may be comprised of two telescopic segments. 
         [0067]    The shelves created by arm  410  and extension member  412 , and arms  418 , and  422  may advantageously be used as closet shelves for clothes, shoes, sheets, towels, and any other items stored in a closet and may include transversely-extending rods for clothing and other items on clothes hangers. Additional arms may be added to provide additional shelves and rods for alternative closet storages shelving arrangements. 
         [0068]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , there appears yet another embodiment of the support unit  500  which may be used to provide storage shelves in the empty space found over a garage door. The support unit  500  may be sized to fit between the rails  524  for a garage door  526  and above the garage door  526  when it is in the open position to provide additional storage in the space above the garage door. The support unit  500  includes four hanging arms  502  and where each hanging arm  502  consists of an upper arm  504  and a “J” bar  506  at its lower end. The upper arms  504  may be a square tube composed of steel or another metal or metal alloy. The top of the upper arm  504  includes a first plurality of openings  508 , which are sized for receiving screws, bolts, or the like for attaching the upper arms  504  to hang the support unit  500  to a steel beam, wood rafter, wood joist, wood beam, ceiling, or the like. For attachment to a finished ceiling, an attachment plate not shown may be secured to the top of each upper arm  504 . The attachment plate may have a plurality of openings not shown, which are sized for receiving screws, bolts, or the like for attaching the upper arms  504  to a joist in the ceiling or anchoring the upper arms  504  into the drywall. 
         [0069]    The upper arms  504  and horizontally extending arms  510  are of the type described above with reference to  FIGS. 3-8 . The upper arms  504  telescope into the J bar  506  and are secured using fasteners  516 , e.g., pins, Clevis pins, nuts and bolts, or the like. The J bar  506  is of the type described above with reference to  FIGS. 3-8 . The arms  510  may be integral with the vertical portion of the J bar and bent to form the horizontally extending arms  510  of the J bar  506 . Alternatively, the horizontal arms  510  may be separately formed and attached, e.g., by welding the horizontally extending arms  510  to the bottom of the vertical portion of the J bars  506 . The extension member  512  is telescopically received within the arm  510  to obtain the desired separation between opposing J bars  506 . The extension member  512  is of the type described above with reference to  FIGS. 3-8 . 
         [0070]    Additional support for items to be stored above the garage door  526  is provided by a plurality of support members  518 , in the preferred embodiment there are four additional support members. Although the illustrated embodiment shows four support members, it will be recognized that support members may be removed or added to provide the desired amount of support for items stored on the unit  500 . The support members  518  are secured onto the arms  510  at a desired separation using coupling hooks  520 . The coupling hooks  520  at the first end of the support member  518  are secured to the arms  510  at a desired point and the coupling hooks  520  at the second end of the support member  518  are secured to a parallel arm  510  the same distance from the curve of the J bar  506 . In alternative embodiments fasteners, such as pins, Clevis pins, nuts and bolts, or the like may be used to secure the support members  518  to the arms  510 . In another alternative embodiment, the support members  518  may be comprised of two telescopic segments. The support members  518  and coupling hooks  520  may be of the type described above with reference to  FIGS. 3 ,  4 A- 4 B, and  5 . 
         [0071]    The shelves created by arm  510  and extension member  512 , and support members  518  are used to create additional storage in the space above an open garage door. 
         [0072]    Referring now to  FIGS. 10A-10D ,  11 A- 11 B, and  12 , there appears yet another embodiment support unit  600  having four legs  602  and where each leg  602  consists of a lower leg  604  and an “L” bar  606  at its upper end. The lower legs  604  may be square tubes composed of a metal or metal alloy, such as steel. An attachment plate  608  may be secured to the bottom of each lower leg  604 , e.g., via welding. The attachment plates  608  have a plurality of openings  610 , four openings in the preferred exemplary embodiment, which are sized for receiving screws, bolts, or the like for attaching the lower legs  604  to the top of a steel or wood beam, floor joist, floor or the like  612 . 
         [0073]    In the present embodiment, the lower legs  604  may have a plurality of openings  614  located at spaced apart intervals (e.g., on two inch centers) on the front and rear of the square tube, and a second plurality of openings  640 , are located in the preferred exemplary embodiment at spaced apart intervals (e.g., on two inch centers) on the left and right side of the square tube between the plurality of openings  614 . The plurality of openings  614  and second plurality of openings  640  may be located at any desired interval based on the intended use of the support unit  600 . 
         [0074]    The lower legs  604  telescope into the L bars  606 . The L bars  606  are square tubes composed of metal or metal alloy with an inside dimension which makes a sliding fit with the outside dimension of the lower legs  604 . The L bars  606  have clearance openings  620  for receiving fasteners  622 , such as pins, Clevis pins, thumb screws, nuts and bolts, or the like which align with the plurality of openings  614  and  640  in the lower legs  604  for attaching the L bars  606  to the lower legs  604 . Located at the top of each L bar  606  is a horizontally extending arm  616  which is attached to the upright portion to form the L bars  606 . The L bars  606  may be formed by welding the horizontally extending arms  616  to the top of the upper portion of the L bars  606  or alternatively may be formed by bending a single length of tubing as described above. The arms  616  are square tubes with the same width as the width of the top of the L bars  606  and may be made of steel or another metal or metal alloy. The arms  616  of the front right and front left L bars  606  and the arms  616  of the rear right and rear left L bars  606  are connected using extension members  618 . The extension members  618  telescope into the horizontally extending arms  616 . The arms  616  have clearance openings  624  for receiving fasteners, such as pins, Clevis pins, thumb screws, nuts and bolts, or the like for attaching the horizontally extending arms  616  to the extension members  618 . Depending on the means used to secure the extension members  618  inside of the horizontally extending arms  616 , the extension members  618  may include a plurality of openings  638  evenly spaced apart along the extension members  618 . In the preferred exemplary embodiment the extension members  618  enable the support unit  600  to expand from approximately two feet two inches to approximately three feet two inches although other dimensions are contemplated. 
         [0075]    One or more support members  626  may optionally be attached to the horizontal arms  616 . The support members  626  are attached using coupling hooks  630 . The coupling hooks  630  are attached at a first end of the support member  626  to a front horizontally extending arm  616  and at a second end of the support member  626  to the corresponding rear horizontally extending arm  616 . The support members  626  and coupling hooks  630  may be of the type described above with reference to  FIGS. 3 ,  4 A- 4 B, and  5 . The support members  626  provide additional support for the items to be stored on the support unit  600 . 
         [0076]    The support members  626  can be a set length or extendable. If the support members  626  are to be extendable they may include a first arm  632  and a second arm  634 . The first and second arms  632  and  634 , respectively, are square tubes made of metal or metal alloy, such as steel. The first arms  632  are preferably the same width as the width of the L bars  606 . The second arms  634  are telescopically received within the first arms  632 . The first and second arms  632  and  634  may have clearance openings  636  for receiving a fastener for securing the arms  632  and  634  at a defined width, such as a pin e.g., a Clevis pin, thumb screw, nut and bolt, or the like for attaching the first arms  632  to the second arms  634 . Depending on the means used to secure the second arm  634  inside of the first arm  632 , the second arms  634  may include a plurality of openings (not shown) evenly spaced apart along the second arms  634  to provide a plurality of sizing options. In the preferred exemplary embodiment the support members  626  may expand from two feet eight inches to four feet, although other dimensions are contemplated. 
         [0077]    When the support unit  600  is used for an HVAC system an optional pan (not shown) may be placed under the horizontally extending arms  616  and the support members  626  and/or on the top of base support structure  612  to catch any water that may be expelled if the HVAC system is not working properly. 
         [0078]    As best seen in  FIG. 13 , an alternative attachment mechanism  700  is shown. The embodiment  700  can be used as an alternative support member with any of the stand embodiments described above, including the embodiment  600  appearing in  FIG. 12 , as well as the stands appearing in  FIGS. 10A-D  and  11 A-B, wherein the base plate is replaced with a generally oval or circular attachment foot  702  that is attached to the bottom of each lower leg  604 . The attachment feet  702  may be made of steel or other metal and include a cross member  704  secured inside a frame  706 . The frame  706  and cross member  704  may be secured, e.g. via welding. The cross member may have an attachment post  708  having at least one set of corresponding holes  710  for securing the lower leg  604  to the foot  702  via a fastener  712 , e.g., a pin, a Clevis pin, thumb screw, nut and bolt, or the like. The frame  706  may be formed of the same tubular stock material used for the L bars  606 . The cross member  704  and post  708  may be formed of a similar tubular stock material used for the L bars  606  in a smaller size to allow the lower leg  604  to fit over the post  708  thereby securing the support unit to the attachment mechanisms  700 . The embodiment of  FIG. 13  is especially advantageous for use in supporting an HVAC condensing unit on a flat roof, e.g., having rubber or other flat roofing material while eliminating sharp corners, thus minimizing the likelihood that the base member will puncture or damage the roof membrane. 
         [0079]    Another alternative embodiment  800 , also advantageous for use on a flat roof, appears in  FIG. 14 . The embodiment  800  is as described above by way of reference to the embodiment  700  appearing in  FIG. 13 , but wherein alternative attachment feet  802  to be secured to the bottom of each lower leg  604  are generally rectangular or square. The attachment feet  802  may be formed of a steel or other metal and have a cross member  804  secured inside a frame  806 . The frame  806  and cross member  804  may be secured, e.g. via welding. The cross member may have an attachment post  808  having at least one set of corresponding holes  810  for securing the lower leg  604  to the foot  802  via a fastener  812 , e.g., a pin, a Clevis pin, thumb screw, nut and bolt, or the like. The frame  806  may be formed of the same tubular stock material used for the L bars  606 . The cross member  804  and post  808  may be formed of a similar tubular stock material used for the L bars  606  in a smaller size to allow the lower leg  604  to fit over the post  808  thereby securing the support unit to the attachment mechanisms  800 . 
         [0080]    As best seen in  FIG. 15 , another alternative embodiment  900  of the support unit is shown. The support unit embodiment  900  is similar to the embodiment  600  appearing in  FIG. 12 , but is adapted for the attachment of the lower legs  604  directly to the desired attachment surface, for example using a fastener (not shown) such as a pin, a Clevis pin, thumb screw, nut and bolt, or the like. The fastener may be received within one or more of the plurality of openings  614  and the second plurality of openings  640  and secured to the attachment surface. Alternatively, the fasteners may be omitted and the unit  900  may rest directly on the support surface. 
         [0081]    Referring now to  FIG. 16 , there appears a further embodiment support unit  950  having upper hanging arms  952  and  954  which each mate with an end of a “U” bar  956 . The hanging arm  952  mates with a first end  958  of the U bar  956  and hanging arm  954  mates with a second end  960  of the U bar  956 . The hanging arms  952  and  954  are square tubes composed of steel or another metal/metal alloy and having a first plurality of openings  962  on the front and rear of the hanging arms  952  and  954 , which are sized for receiving screws, bolts, or the like for attaching the hanging arms  952 ,  954  to hang the support unit  950  to a steel beam, wood rafter, wood joist, wood beam, ceiling, or the like at a first end and to secure the hanging arms  952  and  954  to the U bar  956  at a second end. If the first plurality of openings  962  does not align with the desired support member the hanging arms  952  and  954  may be rotated ninety degrees to align with the desired support member for attachment using a screw, bolt, or the like. Alternatively, the arms  952  and  954  may have a second plurality of openings  964 , as shown in  FIG. 16 , offset from the first plurality of openings  962  which are sized for receiving screws, bolts, or the like for attaching the hanging arms  952  and  954  to hang the support unit  950  to a steel beam, wood rafter, wood joist, wood beam, ceiling, or the like and to secure the hanging arms  952  and  954  to the U bar  956  at a second end. The hanging arms  952  are secured to the U bar  956  via fasteners  970 , for example, pins, Clevis pins, thumb screws, nuts and bolts, or the like. 
         [0082]    In the present embodiment, the first plurality of openings  962  are located at spaced apart intervals (e.g., on two inch centers) on the front and rear of the square tube, and the second plurality of openings  964 , are located at spaced apart intervals (e.g., on two inch centers on the left and right side of the square tube offset from the first plurality of openings  962 . The first and second plurality of openings  962  and  964 , respectively, are located at a desired interval for the intended use of the support unit  950 . The hanging arms  952  and  954  telescope into the U bar  956 . The U bar  956  may be a square tube bent into a U shape and composed, for example, of steel or other metal or metal alloy with an inside dimension which makes a sliding fit with the outside dimension of the hanging arms  952  and  954 . 
         [0083]    Located at the bottom of the U bar  956  is an attachment opening  966  for attaching a rotating support member  968 , such as a fastener, bracket, or the like, for securing a HVAC unit, television and audio visual equipment, hanging storage units, pot racks, and the like to the support unit  950 . The rotating support member  968  is secured to the U bar  956  via a fastener  972 , for example, pins, Clevis pins, thumb screws, nuts and bolts, or the like, which enables the support member  968  to rotate 360 degrees about the fastener  972 . 
         [0084]    The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.