Patent GB-1426043-A (GB)
Title: Overhead storage apparatus
IPC: A47G25/02
Filed: 1972-02-12
Abstract: 1426043 Storage apparatus A T PERKS 9 Feb 1973 [12 Feb 1972] 6662/72 Heading A4T An overhead storage apparatus comprises a main support member 38, Fig. 1, having an attachment means 36 at an upper end whereby the member can be attached to an overhead stationary support 34, an article carrying member 46 slidable upwardly and downwardly along the main support member, and releasable catch means 42 between the two members biased or otherwise movable into an operative position when the article carrying member is lifted into a raised position to retain the article carrying member in said raised position, the catch means being arranged so as to be capable of being actuated at a position adjacent the lower ends of the members to release the catch means and allow the article carrying member to move into a lowered position.  The main support member 38 may be of circular or, as shown, square section metal rod having its upper end formed as a hook 36 for engaging a hole in a bracket 34. The lower end of the rod is bent upon itself to form an abutment lug 42 having an abutment face 44. The article carrying member is formed as a rectangular tube 46 slidable on the rod 38. The lower end of the tube 46 is formed with a gap 49 providing a face 50 which, when the carrying member is raised, is engaged by the lug 42 to retain the carrying member in its raised position, a spring 42 urging the members into engaged position. The members can be moved against the spring to a released position for lowering of the carrying member to a position in which a peg 54 engages the lug. The peg can be removed to permit removal of the carrying member. The carrying member 46 may have hooks or eyes 56 for carrying articles or carry trays or baskets. A pair of carrying members 46, Fig. 2, slidable on a pair of support members 38 may be rigidly connected together by article receiving trays or baskets 58. The spring 52 may be secured to the support member or the article carrying member or may be formed by the inherent resiliency of the rod 38. The article carrying member may have a series of spaced apertures whereby the member may be raised or lowered to different heights. Alternatively, a friction member may be provided to provide infinite positioning of the height of the article carrying member. The support member 38 may have a plurality of spaced lugs whereby a plurality of article carrying members are carried by the support member. Alternatively, a plurality of carrying members may be carried on a support member in abutting relation. In another embodiment, a metal or rubber tension spring is connected between the support member and article carrying member to at least partially counterweight the load carried by the carrying member. In a further embodiment, a pair of support members 38, Figs. 18 and 19, each having a C- shaped cross-section are secured to a bracket 34, the cross-sections forming grooves for T-shaped ribs 115 of article carrying members 46. The members 46 may be releasably held in raised positions by pivoted catches 42. Recesses 118 are formed in the upper parts of the carrying members 46 for engagement by the catches when the members are in the lowered positions. The catches may be spring urged to their engaged positions. In another embodiment, the support member is H- shaped to provide to grooves to receive the rods of article carrying members, each carrying member consisting of a pair of rods joined by transverse rods.