Patent Publication Number: US-8117970-B1

Title: Overhead storage system

Description:
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/234,650 filed Sep. 23, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,543,538, and from U.S. Provisional application 60/613,037 filed Sep. 25, 2004, which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an overhead storage system that is particularly suitable for use in a garage. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     People store many items besides cars in the garages of their homes and businesses. Garages tend to collect so much “stuff” that many people can no longer fit their cars in their garages. One way of increasing the storage space available in a garage is to use overhead storage, rather than just using floor space. Several systems have been designed to provide storage space suspended from a ceiling. 
     For example, U.S. Pat. No 6,311,626 to Roberts for a “Hanging Storage Shelf System” describes a shelf supported by bars, which in turn are suspended by threaded rods screwed into ceiling joists. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,435,105 to Mikich et al. for a “Suspended Storage Structure” describes the use of one or more welded wire frames connected together to form a shelf for storing items. The welded wire frame is supported underneath by square tubes on two sides, and straps attach the square tubes to brackets attached to a ceiling. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,715,427, also to Mikich et al. for a “Suspended Storage Structure,” describes another storage structure that is suspended from a ceiling. The system uses one or more welded wire panels to form a shelf for storing items. The welded wire panels are supported by transverse support pieces that are attached to straps, which are in turn connected to a ceiling beam. The shelves are cantilevered, which reduces the weight that the shelves can support. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,725,608 to Kraus for a “Garage Overhead Storage Assembly” describes a storage shelf supported by three “shelf catching beams” which in turn are supported by metal ties that extend to “ceiling catching beams” that span the ceiling joists. 
     While each of the systems describe above provides suspended storage, each has disadvantages, such as weight or weight distribution limits, difficulty in juxtaposing units, construction costs, or difficulty of assembly by a homeowner. Various embodiments of the present invention can overcome some or all of those deficiencies. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the invention is to provide an overhead storage system that provides improved suspended storage. The system includes several novel aspects, not all of which need to be included in every embodiment. 
     The invention provides a suspended storage system that, in various embodiments, can support a relatively large amount of weight, can be easily assembled from a “do it yourself” kit, can be readily adjusted to different load distributions, and can be juxtaposed to form multiple unit assemblies. 
     Some embodiments use a frame composed of four beams to support a deck around its perimeter, each beam including a horizontal portion forming a shelf on which the edge of the deck rests. The frame provides strength that is not found in the prior art units described above, and the horizontal portion of the beams provides stability for the deck. In some embodiments, the frame can have a generally Z-shaped cross section; in other embodiments the frame cross section can be L-shaped or C-shaped. In some embodiments, the frame can be formed from expandable support beams so that the frame length and/or width can be adjusted. 
     Preferred Z-shaped beams provide support strength and facilitate deck attachment. The indentation under the horizontal portion of the Z-shaped beams and above the angled portion provides a place where optional center vertical supports can be attached by clamping them to the beam, thereby allowing center supports to be placed wherever desired along the length of the frame. 
     Some embodiments use a welded wire deck, the deck being supported from below by ribs to which wires of the deck are bonded to provide stability and sturdiness. Preferred deck support ribs have flat ends to provide broad support to the wire deck near the frame and are V-shaped in the center to provide strength along the span away from the frame. One or more clips can be used to prevent the wire deck from sliding relative to the frame. 
     In some embodiments, multiple welded wire deck sections or panels can be combined to create a larger wire deck, with cross support ribs perpendicular to the deck support ribs underlying the intersection of adjacent wire decks and supporting the adjacent ends of deck support ribs from each wire deck. 
     Some embodiments can include a net or other structure that can be affixed so that items on the deck cannot fall off. Some embodiments can include a retractable shade that can be extended to hide the contents of the storage system. 
     The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more thorough understanding of the present invention, and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a bottom perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a vertical corner support used in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  shows an end view of a Z-shaped beam used in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4A  shows an L-shaped beam that can be used as an alternative to the beam in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 4B  shows another embodiment of an L-shaped beam that can be used as an alternative to the beam in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5A  shows a C-shaped beam that can be used as an alternative to the beam in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 5B  shows another embodiment of a C-shaped beam that can be used as an alternative to the beam in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  shows a cross section of a deck rib taken along the lines  6 - 6  from  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  shows a Z-beam of  FIG. 3  with an L-clip for holding a welded wire frame. 
         FIG. 8  shows a connection between a center support and a Z-beam of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 9  shows a storage system having a net for holding the items stored. 
         FIG. 10  shows a storage system having a retractable shade for hiding the contents of the storage system. 
         FIG. 11  shows a storage system storing items. 
         FIG. 12  shows a storage system mounted above the rails of a garage door. 
         FIG. 13  shows an expandable beam used to make a storage system having at least one adjustable dimension. 
         FIG. 14  shows an alternative expandable beam used to make a storage system having at least one adjustable dimension. 
         FIG. 15A  shows a bottom perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 15B  shows a bottom perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 16  shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention where the storage system is generally triangular in shape. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  shows a preferred suspended storage structure  100  including a shelf or deck  102  which can be, for example, a welded wire mesh, as shown, or a solid sheet, such as plywood, metal, or plastic. Deck  102  is supported by beams  106  that form a rectangular frame  108 . A preferred embodiment uses four beams  106 , two longitudinal beams (a front beam and a back beam) and two transverse side beams. Beams  106  are suspended from vertical supports, which preferably comprise a lower vertical corner support  110  and an upper vertical corner support  112 . Beams can be formed from steel or any other appropriate material, preferably with a thickness of at least 16 gauge. The vertical supports shown in  FIG. 1  comprise L-shaped supports mounted on each corner of deck  102 . Preferably, the vertical supports are formed from steel or another appropriate material with a thickness of at least 12 gauge or, more preferably, 10 gauge. Skilled persons will recognize that vertical supports with a different cross-section shape can be used, for example a flat or rectangular cross-section. Further, the vertical supports can be mounted at locations other than the corners of deck  102  as long as the deck is adequately supported. 
       FIG. 2  shows that upper and lower vertical corner supports  110  and  112  are preferably L-shaped, with sides of approximately equal width. Each lower vertical corner support  110  has two keyhole shaped slots  202  toward the lower end on each of the outer sides of the vertical corner support  110 . Deck  102  preferably does not extend past frame  108 , thereby eliminating weaker cantilevered deck portions and facilitating the side-by-side placement of multiple storage structures  100 . Vertical corner supports are preferably, but not always, constructed in two parts, such as upper part  112  and lower part  110 , so that a user can adjust the height of the supports by overlapping different amounts of the upper and lower parts. The two parts can be connected using bolts, or other means, such as interlocking slots on one piece and protrusions on the other piece. For example, in one embodiment, the length of the combination of vertical corner supports  110  and  112  can be adjusted to be between 20 inches and 38 inches in 1½-inch increments. The holes in upper part  112  have appropriate shapes for the connectors, for example, round holes if bolts are used, or key hole slots for connecting to protrusions in the mating members. The shape of the holes need not match the shape of the connectors exactly, for example oval holes could be used with bolts to allow for more adjustability. 
       FIG. 3  shows one preferred shape for beams  106 . A preferred beam  106  comprises a 14-gauge steel, 2½-inch wide, heavy-duty steel Z-shaped beam. (The term “Z-shaped” as used herein is not limited to beams having two horizontal and one angled portion between them like the letter “Z”, but includes any beam having a cross section with multiple portions including an angled portion that is not substantially perpendicular to a connected portion.) The Z-shaped beams  106  include a horizontal portion  302  and a first vertical portion  304  that extends upward from one end of the horizontal portion  302 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , deck  316  rests upon horizontal portion  302 , while butting up against the bottom of vertical portion  304 . In some embodiments, the top of vertical portion  304  can extend above deck  316 . An angled portion  306  extends from the end of horizontal portion  302  opposite to that of vertical portion  304  downwardly and toward the plane of vertical portion  302 . Below horizontal surface  302  and above angled portion  306  is a space referred to as indentation  308 . A second vertical portion  310  extends from angled portion  306  downwardly in approximately the same plane of first vertical portion  302 . In some embodiments in which storage system  100  will support extra weight, additional support can be provided by an addition horizontal portion  312  that provides additional strength to beams  106 .  FIG. 3  shows a solid deck  316 , as an alternative to the wire deck  102  of  FIG. 1 , supported on the top surface of the horizontal portion  302  of beam  106 . 
     The invention is not limited to the beam configurations shown in  FIG. 3 . For example,  FIGS. 4A and 5A  show alternative configurations, an L-shaped beam  402  and a C-shaped beam  502 , respectively, both used with a solid deck  316 . When such alternative configurations are used, additional brackets (not shown) can optionally be used to fix the position of deck  102 .  FIGS. 4B and 5B  show additional alternative configurations, an L-shaped beam  402  and a C-shaped beam  502 , respectively, both used with a wire deck  102 . 
     At each end of each of the four beams  106  are connectors for connecting each beam  106  to a mating connector on the corresponding vertical support  110 . A preferred connector does not require an assembler to use a screwdriver or wrench to connect threaded fasteners, thereby facilitating assembly by “do-it-yourself” homeowners. In one embodiment, the connector consists of a post  320  ( FIG. 3 ) and a round flat plate  322  positioned at the end of post  320  and having a diameter larger than that of post  320 . The plate is inserted into the large-diameter portion of keyhole  202  ( FIG. 2 ) of vertical corner support  110 , and then beam  106  is moved downward until post  320  seats in the narrow end of keyhole slot  202 . In a preferred embodiment, a rivet forms post  320  and flat plate  322 . Other types of connectors could be used, and the keyhole could be positioned on beams  106 , with the rivets on vertical corner connectors  110 . In another embodiment, the connectors could be located on the inner surface of the beams so that the vertical supports are located inside the frame. If necessary, deck panels could be notched to accommodate the interior vertical supports. 
     One or more ribs  120  ( FIG. 1 ) typically provide support for deck  102 .  FIG. 6  shows a cross section, taken as shown by the lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 1 , of a preferred rib  120  for use with a wire deck  102 . Rib  120  preferably comprise a V-shaped center portion  602  that provides strength for supporting a load away from the frame  108  and flat end portions  604  that provide additional support for a wire deck  102  near frame  108 . The opening of the “V” preferably faces the wire deck  102  to provide more contact area, and the top of the “V” can be flanged to provide a horizontal lip for even more contacting area. The V-shape resists bending along the span between opposing beams  106 . Other cross-sectional shapes for the ribs could be used including U-shaped or square. The wires of wire deck  102  typically form a grid pattern, and flat end portions  604  preferably extend away from the frame beyond the end of the first row in the grid, thereby providing broad support for at least the first wire that is away from the frame  108  and that is transverse to the long axis of rib  120 . The grid pattern of wire deck  102  can include rectangles (including squares. i.e., rectangles having sides of equal length), diamonds, or other utilitarian or decorative patterns. 
     Preferably, at least some, and more preferably all, of the wires forming wire deck  102  are bonded to ribs  120 , preferably by welding. Bonding the wire deck  102  to the ribs creates a stronger, more rigid deck structure that can support a great deal of weight without sagging. Each of the wires crossing ribs  120  is preferably welded to the rib. 
     In various embodiments, decks  102  are 4 ft×2 ft, 4 ft×4 ft, 6 ft×2 ft, 6 ft×4 ft, 8 ft×2 ft and 8 ft×4 ft, and can made in 3 ft×2 ft or 4 ft×2 ft sections or deck panels, each deck panel including 2 support ribs  120  to which the wires in the deck panel are welded. In some embodiments, decks  102  are 4 ft×3 ft, 6 ft×3 ft and 8 ft×3 ft and are made, for example, in 4 ft×3 ft or 3 ft×2 ft deck panel, with each deck panel having 2 ribs. Referring also to  FIGS. 15A and 15B , in one 2 ft by 8 ft embodiment shown in, the deck  102  is preferably composed of two 2 ft by 4 ft welded wire deck panels  1503  and  1505 , with two 4 ft support ribs  120  running under each panel. Wires from both panels are welded to the two corresponding support ribs. A 2 ft. cross support  121  runs between the two panels and supports the ends of ribs from each panel. The cross support preferably includes clips (not shown) for attaching the wires from both panels. 
     Beam  106  can optionally include multiple L-clips  702  as shown in  FIG. 7 . L-clips  702  are positioned on beams  106  to maintain wire deck  102  in position. L-clips  702  are preferably attached by welding or by threaded fasteners. The vertical portion of L-clips  702  preferably extends vertically to about the same height as the vertical portion  304  of beam  106  to prevent deck  102  from being displaced under load. 
     In embodiments that support a heavier load, additional support can be provided by center supports  130  ( FIG. 1 ), which can be attached between the ceiling and beams  106 . The term “center support” includes any supports positioned between the corner supports  110  and is not limited to supports positioned half way between the corner supports  110 . Center supports  130  can preferably be positioned wherever desired along the length of beams  106  to provide additional support where the load is heaviest or to coincide with building structure in the ceiling, such as ceiling joists. In some embodiments, two center supports are used, one attached to the front beam  106  and one attached to the rear beam  106 . Additional center supports can be added to accommodate a heavier load. In embodiments that support heavier loads, the beams and vertical supports (including center supports) can be formed from thicker gauge material. For example, vertical supports can be at least 10 gauge and beams can be greater than 14 gauge. As discussed above and shown in  FIG. 3 , additional weight-bearing support for the beams can also be provided by an addition horizontal portion  312  that provides additional strength to beams  106 . 
       FIG. 8  shows that a typical center support  130  includes a top vertical portion  801  to which are attached one or two L-shaped brackets  804  for attaching to a ceiling joist or other structural component (not shown). Center support  130  also includes a bottom portion  802  attached to upper portion  801  using threaded fasteners or other means such as interlocking slots. Bottom portion  802  includes a bent portion  806  that fits into the indention  308  in beam  106  to provide support to beam  106 . Bent portion  806  preferably extends into indentation  308  until it touches or almost touches angled portion  306  of beam  106 . A bolt  812  clamps vertical portion  304  of beam  106  between a square plate  810  and bottom portion  802  of center support  130  to secure center support  130  to beam  106 . A spacer  814  fills the gap between portion  802  and plate  810  near the bolt location. An L-clip  702  ( FIG. 7 ) is preferably positioned below bolt  812 , and the bolt or an its associated hardware, such as a lock-washer, extends deck over a wire from wire deck  102  to trap the wire between the L-clip and the bolt or its hardware, thereby prevented wire deck  102  from coming off of its support structure without removal of the bolt. 
     Because the attachment of center support  130  to beam  106  does not require a hole in beam  106  at the point of attachment, center support  130  can be attached anywhere along the length of beam  106 , and the position is not limited by the location of holes in beam  106 . The position at which center support  130  is attached can be varied by the end user depending on the load distribution and on the position of ceiling structural members, such as ceiling joists. The center support is preferably positionable at any point along a continuous portion of the beams  106 , meaning that the position along the beam is not limited by the location of holes in the beam, although there may still be specific points along the length of beam  106  at which the center support cannot be positioned because of interfering structural features. Also, because no holes are necessary in beam  106 , the beam is stronger and can support additional weight without requiring a larger, heavier beam. 
     Thus, the present invention provides great flexibility. For example, in some embodiments, if heavier items are loaded toward one end of deck  102 , additional center support brackets  130  can be used to provide additional support. In some embodiments, additional deck ribs  120  can also be added in that area to shore up the deck. In other embodiments, one or more center supports can be used to replace some or all of the fixed vertical supports discussed above. Skilled persons will recognize that in these embodiments the center supports can be mounted at the corners of the deck or at other positions as long as the deck is adequately supported. 
     The upper end of corner supports  112  ( FIG. 1 ) are preferably attached to L-shaped ceiling brackets  140 , which are attached to a building structure, such as ceiling joists, trusses, or beams, preferably wooden beams or metal joists. Brackets  140  are typically bolted onto the upper vertical corner support  112 , and the other arm of the L-shaped bracket  140  is then attached using screws or other fastening devices to a building structural component. Slots in the bracket  140  provide some adjustment for aligning the brackets with building structural components. Bracket  140  can be attached to either face of support  112 , so that bracket  140  can be oriented parallel to the building structural component to facilitate attachment. Ceiling brackets  140  can be of any desired length, for example the brackets can be long enough to span and be mounted to several ceiling joists. 
       FIG. 9  shows that holes or brackets in the corner brackets  110  can be used to support a net  900  or other structure that keeps items on deck  102  from falling off.  FIG. 10  shows that a shade  1002  can be mounted on a ceiling  1004  or on brackets  110  of storage system  100 .  FIG. 9  shows the shade about three-quarters of the way down. Multiple shades  1002  can be pulled down to hide the contents of storage system  100 . Each shade  1002  includes a magnetic strip  1008  to hold the bottom of the shade in place against beam  106 . Mechanical clips or hooks could also be used to keep the drawn shade in place. 
     Storage system can be made in various sizes, and the number of center supports  130  and deck support ribs  120  can be varied with the overall size of the unit and the weight to be carried. Because deck  102  preferably does not extend past frame  108 , multiple storage units  100  can be positioned next to each other, with the frames juxtaposed. The L-shaped vertical corner supports facilitate bolting units together on any side. Combining units increases the overall storage area by allowing an end user to create a loft composed of several systems. 
       FIG. 11  shows a typical storage system  100  with items stored thereon. Some embodiments of the storage system, such as that shown in  FIG. 12 , are suitable for mounting above the rails of a sliding overhead garage door, thereby making additional storage space available. While suitable for use in a residential garage, the invention is not limited to such use, and can be used wherever overhead storage is desired. 
       FIG. 13  shows an alternative embodiment in which beams  106  can be configured in two parts that slide into one another, to make a system having an adjustable length and/or width. One beam  106  includes two slots  1302 , one in the top portion  304  and one in the lower portion  310 . The other beam includes near its end holes  1306  for a connector that can be secured with nuts or a threaded backing plate to keep the beam sections together. Suitable connectors can include, for example, bolts passing through both beams, permanent rivets at predetermined locations or slidable rivets on the first beam. Clamps such as those shown in  FIG. 14  below can also be used to hold the beams together.  FIG. 14  shows an alternative embodiment in which beams  106  can be configured in two parts that slide into one another, to make a system having an adjustable length and/or width. Two clamps  1402  including bolts  1404  hold the two beams  106  together. In some embodiments, each clamp  1402  will include 2 bolts, one positioned near the top and one near the bottom of each clamp, to press against vertical surfaces  304  and  310 , respectively. 
     Embodiments of the invention that use a Z-beam frame and a wire deck welded to support ribs provide a very stable, sturdy structure that is relatively light weight, so that more of the load bearing capacity of the building structural component is available for useful load. The adjustable center supports used in some embodiments spread the load on the building component, thereby increasing the maximum capacity. In many case, the inventive system is so strong that the maximum load of an installed system is limited not by the strength of the system itself, but by the load bearing capacity of the building structural components to which the system is attached. For example, one embodiment of a four foot by eight foot system that uses 8 deck rib supports and four center beam supports, two along the front beam and two along the rear beam, can support 1000 pounds or more, although a lighter load is recommended if the structure is suspended from ceiling joists of a residential garage. Some smaller embodiments, such as those having a maximum dimension of four feet or less, may not include center supports. Embodiments that are six feet typically use two center supports. Whether or not center supports are used in any embodiment will depend on the load to be carried. 
     Table 1 below is a table that describes various embodiments. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 No. of  
                   
                 Maximum  
               
               
                   
                   
                 Sliding 
                 Wire Deck  
                   
                 Load Capacity  
               
               
                   
                 Approx 
                 Center 
                 Panels 
                 Rib Deck 
                 Residential 
               
               
                 Size  
                 Weight 
                 Supports 
                 (Size in  
                 Supports 
                 (Structural) 
               
               
                 (Feet) 
                 (Pounds) 
                 (Quantity) 
                 feet) 
                 (Quantity) 
                 (Pounds) 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 4 × 2 
                 35 
                 0 
                 1 (4 × 2) 
                 2 
                 400 (600) 
               
               
                 4 × 3 
                 45 
                 0 
                 1 (4 × 3) 
                 2 
                 400 (600) 
               
               
                 4 × 4 
                 50 
                 0 
                 2 (4 × 2) 
                 4 
                 500 (700) 
               
               
                 6 × 2 
                 60 
                 2 
                 2 (3 × 2) 
                 4 + 1  
                  600 (1000) 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 center rib 
                   
               
               
                 6 × 3 
                 65 
                 2 
                 3 (3 × 2) 
                 6 
                  600 (1000) 
               
               
                 6 × 4 
                 75 
                 2 
                 3 (4 × 2) 
                 6 
                  600 (1000) 
               
               
                 8 × 2 
                 80 
                 2 
                 2 (4 × 2) 
                 4 + 1  
                  600 (1000) 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 center rib 
                   
               
               
                 8 × 3 
                 85 
                 2 
                 4 (3 × 2) 
                 8 
                  600 (1000) 
               
               
                 8 × 4 
                 90 
                 2 
                 4 (4 × 2) 
                 8 
                  600 (1000) 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
       FIG. 15A  shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 15 , suspended storage structure  1500  includes a rectangular shelf or deck  1502  formed by positioning two substantially square deck panels  1503  and  1505  side by side. The deck panels can be, for example, a welded wire mesh, as shown, or a solid sheet, such as plywood, metal, or plastic. Deck  1502  is supported by transverse beams  1507  and longitudinal beams  1506  that form a rectangular frame  1508 . Transverse beams  1507  do not extend lengthways past the lateral edges of deck  1502 . Longitudinal beams  1506  extend to the outside edges of transverse beams so that transverse beams  1507  are butted up against the interior surface of longitudinal beams  1506 . The corresponding lateral ends of transverse beams  1507  and longitudinal beams  1506  can be attached, for example, by an L-shaped bracket  1509  welded or otherwise attached to the outside corner formed by the two beams. Transverse beams  1507  are suspended from vertical supports  1510 . One or more ribs  120  provide support for each deck panel. Cross support  121  runs between the two panels and supports the ends of ribs from each panel. 
     The vertical supports shown in  FIG. 15A  comprise supports mounted near each corner of deck  1502 . The vertical supports do not have to be mounted directly at the corners of the frame. Instead, the mounting position can be varied to allow, for example, the location of the vertical supports to match the location of ceiling joists, or to allow for a larger opening between supports so that larger objects can be stored on the shelf. In some embodiments, vertical supports can be flat bar steel (or other appropriate material) rather than the L-shaped steel supports discussed above in order to reduce manufacturing costs. 
       FIG. 15B  shows another preferred embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 15B , deck panels  1503  and  1505  are positioned side by side and supported by longitudinal beams  1506  supporting both deck panels  1503  and by transverse beams  1507  each supporting only one panel. Longitudinal beams  1506  are suspended from vertical supports  1510 . The vertical supports shown in  FIG. 15B  comprise supports mounted near each end of longitudinal beams  1506 . 
     All configurations and dimensions described above are by way of example only, and the invention is not limited to any specific dimension or configuration of the novel aspects. Skilled persons will recognize that many brackets can be used on the ends of beams and support structures to facilitate connection, so when applicant states that one part is connected to another part, it is understood that the connection does not need to be immediate and such connection does not exclude the use of intermediary brackets. 
     While rectangular and square decks have been described, the invention is not limited to any particular shape of deck. As shown in  FIG. 16 , the invention could be used for a triangular storage system for mounting in a corner, the system including three beams instead of four, and the internal angles of some of the support brackets being less than ninety degrees.  FIG. 16  shows a triangular storage system  1601  using three parallel support ribs  120  oriented perpendicular to the front edge of the triangular deck frame  1602 . For applications where less support is needed, only one support rib can be used, preferably oriented perpendicular to the front edge  1610  of the triangular deck frame  1602  and running from the back corner  1612  to the front edge  1610 . 
     As used herein, the term “L-shaped” does not exclude a shape in which the two sides of the “L” have equal length or a shape in which the angle of intersection between the arms varies from ninety degrees. Also, as used herein, the term “rectangle” includes a square. Further, as used herein the term “deck” can refer to a deck formed as one unit or formed from multiple smaller deck panels. 
     Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.