Patent Publication Number: US-2015060374-A1

Title: Interchangeable Garage Storage System

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is generally directed to a modular garage storage system that utilizes unused ceiling and/or wall space to create additional storage in homes. More specifically, the present modular garage storage system is interchangeable between an overhead storage system and a combination shelf and wall storage system utilizing the same multi-purpose components. 
     BACKGROUND 
     There are many houses with a two car garage that have never had two cars in them. Instead of using that space to shield cars from the sun and harsh weather, the garage has become home to a collection of gardening and lawn equipment, tools, woodworking equipment, cast-off furniture and things that are no longer used, but are not throw away. Finding items that are needed in a cluttered garage is a complicated process. Usually, it starts with edging between the stacks of boxes and miscellaneous equipment. If the home owner is lucky, they may remember where this particular item was last, or which box it may be located. More often, it becomes a process of elimination that involves knowing what went into the garage during which time period and playing ‘hot, hot, cold’ until that person stumbles upon what they&#39;re trying to locate. Overhead and wall based garage storage systems can transform unused space in a garage into fully functional storage space. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, an interchangeable home storage system, configurable as either an overhead storage system or a combination wall shelf and wall storage system utilizing the same multi-purpose components, is provided. In one embodiment, the interchangeable home storage system comprises a plurality of ceiling/wall mount members constructed of square tube material. Each ceiling/wall mount member is coupled to a ceiling wall mount bracket that is configured to both (1) secure the ceiling/wall mount member to a ceiling joist when used for said overhead storage system and (2) secure the ceiling/wall mount member to a wall stud of said structure when used for said combination wall shelf and wall storage system. A plurality of modular surface members are provided that are constructed of wire into a grid pattern. The modular surface members are configured to both (1) provide a support surface for storing items thereon when used for said overhead storage system and (2) provide a shelf surface when used for said combination wall shelf and wall storage system. 
     A plurality of adjustable inner tube members are provided for the interchangeable home storage system that are constructed of square tube material. The adjustable inner tube member are configured to both (1) fit within the interior of the ceiling/wall mount member and move in a telescoping manner relative thereto to form a rack support member when used for said overhead storage system and (2) connect to a frame rail member and mount to a wall stud of said structure when used for said combination wall shelf and wall storage system. A plurality of frame rail members are provided that are configured to both (1) couple to the adjustable inner tube member of a rack support member to support said plurality of modular surface members when used for said overhead storage system and (2) couple to said inner tube member when used for said combination wall shelf and wall storage system. 
     The foregoing and other features, utilities and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of various embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a convertible overhead rack storage system; 
         FIG. 1A  is an expanded view of a ceiling/wall mount and adjustable inner tube; 
         FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a convertible overhead rack storage system of  FIG. 1  in use; 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of a plurality of convertible storage shelves and a convertible wall storage comprising an illustrated example of a combination shelf and wall storage system; 
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of a plurality of convertible storage shelves and a convertible wall storage comprising an illustrated example of a combination shelf and wall storage system of  FIG. 3  in use; and 
         FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a convertible overhead rack storage system utilizing an extender kit to approximately double the size of the system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth, such as examples of constructing a convertible overhead rack system, a convertible storage shelf and a convertible wall shelf utilizing the same multi-purpose components in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known components or methods have not been described in detail but rather in a general manner in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention. Thus, the specific details set forth are merely exemplary. The specific details may be varied from and still be contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     It should be appreciated that reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” or “one example” or “an example” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment may be included, if desired, in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, it should be appreciated that two or more references to “an embodiment” or “one embodiment” or “an alternative embodiment” or “one example” or “an example” in various portions of this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined as desired in one or more embodiments of the invention. It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of a convertible overhead rack storage system  100 . Convertible rack system  100  is constructed of multi-purpose components to be mounted to the ceiling of a garage for storing items in an organized manner off the floor. Convertible rack system  100  provides a way to maximize a home&#39;s available storage space. Convertible rack system  100  is designed to make use of a garage&#39;s previously unused ceiling space, allowing home owners to store their items overhead and out of the way. The system is ideally configured for storing large or heavy items that otherwise can quickly fill a garage&#39;s available space. Plastic storage bins, or boxes that could quickly clutter available garage floor space fit perfectly on convertible overhead rack  100 , helping to maximize available space. 
     The present modular garage storage system is interchangeable between an overhead storage system and a combination shelf and wall storage system utilizing the same multi-purpose components. In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 1-2 , convertible overhead rack storage system  100  is generally comprised of four rack support members and a rack member. In the illustrated embodiment, each rack support member is generally comprised of a ceiling/wall mount  105 ,  115 ,  125 ,  135  coupled to a ceiling/wall mounting bracket member  106 ,  116 ,  126 ,  136  respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, ceiling/wall mounts are coupled to the ceiling/wall mounting bracket member using a welded connection. It should be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that any means for connecting a ceiling mount to a ceiling/wall mounting bracket member may be utilized. 
     Ceiling/wall mounts  105 ,  115 ,  125 ,  135  are configured to be mounted to the ceiling of a garage using, for example, ceiling mount fasteners  107 ,  117 , and shall be manufactured of a material strong enough to support the weight of the rack and the items that will be stored thereon. Adjustable inner tube members  110 ,  120 ,  130 ,  140  are disposed within the interior of ceiling/wall mount  105 ,  115 ,  125 ,  135  so as to create a plurality of telescoping rack support members, thereby adjusting the location of the rack member relative to the ceiling/wall mounts  105 ,  115 ,  125 ,  135 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1A , adjustable inner tube member  110  and ceiling/wall mount  105  are constructed of square tubing with a plurality of holes configured to receive a plurality of bolt assemblies (illustrated in  FIG. 1  as inner tube fasteners  108 ). The square tubing of the ceiling/wall mount  105  is sized to be slightly larger in diameter than the square tubing of the adjustable inner tube member  110  so that the adjustable inner tube member  110  fits within the ceiling/wall mount  105  and is configured to move relative thereto in a telescoping manner. The telescoping relationship between the ceiling/wall mount  105  of rack support member relative to the adjustable inner tube member  110  allows a user to adjust the distance between the ceiling and the frame rail member  145  of the rack member. The bolt assemblies are inserted through matching holes in each, so as to secure the adjustable inner tube member  110  to the upper bracket member  140  in a user chosen position and thus form a single, rigid rack support member from the multi-piece construction of parts. A similar construction is contemplated for each rack support member. In a similar manner, the telescoping relationship between the ceiling/wall mount  125 , 135  of each rack support member relative to the adjustable inner tube member  130 ,  140  allows a user to adjust the distance between the ceiling and second frame rail member  146  of the rack member. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, a rack member typically comprises a first frame rail member  145  and a second frame rail member  146  configured to support a first modular surface member  150  and a second modular surface member  155 . Rack member is configured to support any number of differing sized items utilizing first modular surface member  150  and second modular surface member  155 . First modular surface member  150  and second modular surface member  155  are shown as grid members having an end bent at a  90  degree angle to provide additional protection for preventing items stored thereon from falling off, however, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any suitable material/surface may be used for first modular surface member  150  and second modular surface member  155  without departing from the scope and spirit of the illustrated embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, the dimensions of the resulting rack member surface is approximately forty-eight inches by forty-eight inches, however, one of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that any size resulting rack member may be used without departing from the scope and spirit of the illustrated invention.  FIG. 2  illustrates the convertible overhead storage rack system  100  in use, having a plurality of storage bins  165  disposed on the surface of the modular surface member  150 ,  155 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of grid stiffeners  160  are used to give support and strength to the first and second modular surface members  150 ,  155 . Grid stiffeners  160  provide both additional structure to the first frame rail member  145  and second frame rail member  146  for purposes of strengthening each as well as support for items placed first and second modular surface members  150 ,  155  so that the grid members do not sag and become detached from the first and second frame rail members  145 ,  146 . 
       FIG. 1  also illustrates a typical mounting relationship between a plurality of rack support members and a first and second frame rail members  145 ,  146  of a rack member. Rack member, and more specifically frame rail members  145 ,  146 , are supported by foot supports  111 ,  121 ,  131 ,  141  coupled to the end of the adjustable inner tube members  110 ,  120 ,  130 ,  140  of each rack support member respectively. Frame rail member  145  is secured to the rack support members by a combination of a surface member clamp  112 ,  122  and a surface member clamp fastener  113 ,  123 . Similarly, frame rail member  146  is secured to the rack support members by a combination of a surface member clamp (not shown) and a surface member clamp fastener (not shown). 
       FIGS. 3-4  illustrate the interchangeability aspect of the illustrated garage storage system. Significantly, the same parts and components used to construct the convertible overhead storage rack  100  illustrated and described with respect to  FIGS. 1-2  are used to assemble the combination wall shelf and wall storage system illustrated and described in  FIGS. 3-4 . As shown in the illustrated embodiment, convertible storage shelf  101  is comprised of ceiling/wall mounts  105 ,  115  and modular surface member  150 , each component also illustrated and described with respect to  FIG. 1 . Convertible storage shelf  102  is comprised of ceiling/wall mounts  125 ,  135  and modular surface member  155 , also illustrated and described with respect to  FIG. 1 . Ceiling/wall mounts  105 ,  115 ,  125 ,  135  are configured to be mounted to the wall stud of a garage using ceiling/wall mounting bracket member  106 ,  116 ,  126 ,  136  respectively and, for example, the same ceiling mount fasteners  107 ,  117  shown in  FIG. 1 . Ceiling/wall mounts  105 ,  115 ,  125 ,  135  shall be manufactured of a material strong enough to support the weight of the shelf and the items that will be stored thereon. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, a shelf surface for the convertible storage shelf  101 ,  102  of the combination wall shelf and wall storage system typically comprises a first modular surface member  150  and a second modular surface member  155  respectively. Modular surface member  150  and modular surface member  155  are configured to support any number of differing sized items utilizing. First modular surface member  150  and second modular surface member  155  are shown as grid members having an end bent at a  90  degree angle to provide additional protection for preventing items stored thereon from falling off, however, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any suitable material/surface may be used for first modular surface member  150  and second modular surface member  155  without departing from the scope and spirit of the illustrated embodiment. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, a convertible wall storage  103  of the combination wall shelf and wall storage system is comprised of adjustable inner tube members  110 ,  120  and frame rail member  145 . Frame rail member  145  is connected to the adjustable inner tube members  110 ,  120 , and the adjustable inner tube members  110 ,  120  are then secured to the studs of the wall. A plurality of hooks  171 ,  172 ,  173  are configured to be removably coupled to the frame rail member  145  to hang items therefrom. Hooks  171 ,  172 ,  173  may come in all different shapes and sizes and may be manufactured to support tools, sporting equipment and other miscellaneous items to name a few. A second convertible wall storage may be constructed utilizing adjustable inner tube members  130 ,  140  and frame rail member  146  (not shown).  FIG. 4  illustrates a combination shelf and wall storage system of  FIG. 3  in use. Specifically, convertible wall storage  103  is shown holding a broom  175 , a shovel  176  and a rake  177  in the removable hooks shown in  FIG. 3  and convertible storage shelf  101 ,  102  is illustrated supporting a plurality of storage bins  180 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates the use of an expansion kit to double the size of the convertible overhead rack storage system  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . Similar to  FIG. 1 , convertible overhead rack storage system  200  is generally comprised of rack support members and a rack member. In the illustrated embodiment, each rack support member is generally comprised of at least a ceiling/wall mount  205 ,  215  coupled to a ceiling/wall mounting bracket member  206 ,  216  respectively. Adjustable inner tube members  210 ,  220  are disposed within the interior of ceiling/wall mount  205 ,  215  so as to create a plurality of telescoping rack support members, thereby adjusting the location of the rack member relative to the ceiling/wall mounts  205 ,  215 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, rack member comprises a first frame rail member  225  coupled to a second frame rail member  230  using a rail connector  235 . Similarly, a third frame rail member is coupled to a fourth frame rail member using a rail connector (not shown). The rack member is configured to support any number of differing sized items utilizing one or more first and second modular surface members  150 ,  155 . The strength of the connection formed by rail connector  235  provides the means to allow the rack member to be shipped in a smaller container, since a single side rail member running the length of the first and second frame rail members would be twice as long as shipping them separate and connecting them together using rail connector  235  and a second rail connector (not shown). 
     While the methods disclosed herein have been described and shown with reference to particular operations performed in a particular order, it will be understood that these operations may be combined, sub-divided, or re-ordered to form equivalent methods without departing from the teachings of the present invention. Accordingly, unless specifically indicated herein, the order and grouping of the operations is not a limitation of the present invention. 
     Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the foregoing description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. 
     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to various embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other changes in the form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.