Patent Publication Number: US-7213713-B2

Title: Storage system for sports equipment

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Sports equipment such as surfboards and snowboards are becoming increasingly popular. The storage of the surfboards and snowboards can require significant amount of space. Existing storage systems for surfboards and snowboards are not entirely satisfactory, as they do not allow for the addition or subtraction of sports equipment. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention is directed to storage system for securing a first piece of sports equipment and a second piece of sports equipment to a rigid structure. In one embodiment, the storage system includes a first storage subassembly and a second subassembly. The first storage subassembly includes a left first frame and a spaced apart right first frame that are fixedly coupled to the rigid structure. The first frames cooperate to support the first piece of sports equipment. The second storage subassembly includes a left second frame and a spaced apart right second frame. The second frames are selectively coupled to the first storage subassembly. The second frames cooperate to support the second piece of sports equipment. 
     In one embodiment, each frame includes a first coupling component and a second coupling component. In this embodiment, the second coupling component of the left second frame engages the first coupling component of the left first frame to selectively couple the left second frame to the left first frame. Somewhat similarly, the second coupling component of the right second frame engages the first coupling component of the right first frame to selectively couple the right second frame to the right first frame. Additionally, in this embodiment, the storage system can include a first component cover that covers the first coupling component of one of the second frames and a second component cover that covers the second coupling component of one of the first frames. 
     Further, at least one of the frames can include a base region that is positioned adjacent to the rigid structure and a cantilevering region that cantilevers away from the base region. Moreover, the cantilevering region can include a padded area that engages the piece of sports equipment. 
     Moreover, the present invention is directed to a method for retaining multiple pieces of sports equipment with modular capabilities for expansion and ability to transform into multiple racks at any given time. 
     The present invention can allow the end user to increase or decrease the amount of equipment they wish to store on one embodiment, or separate and install two or more individual rack assemblies. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of two pieces of sports equipment and one embodiment of a storage system having features of the present invention including a plurality of frames; 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of one of the frames of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of one of the frames of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the frame of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIGS. 4A–4C  are alternative views of a portion of the frame of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIGS. 5A–5C  are alternative views of another portion of the frame of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a portion of two frames being coupled together; and 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the frame. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first piece of sports equipment  10 A, a second piece of sports equipment  10 B, and a first embodiment of a storage system  12  that can be used to store the sports equipment  10 A,  10 B. In certain embodiments, the storage system  12  is a modular type storage assembly that can be easily expanded to store more than two pieces of sports equipment or retracted to store only one piece of sports equipment. 
     The type of sports equipment  10 A,  10 B stored on the storage system  12  can vary. For example, one or each piece of sports equipment  10 A,  10 B can be a fluid related piece of sports equipment such as a surfboard, a snowboard, a waterski, a wakeboard, or snowskis. Alternatively, for example, one or each piece of sports equipment  10 A,  10 B can be a skateboard. 
     The storage system  12  is secured to a rigid structure  14 . With this design, the storage system  12  can be used to store the one or more pieces of sports equipment  10 A,  10 B on the rigid structure  14 . As an example, the rigid structure  14  can be a wall or other support structure, e.g. a pair of spaced apart 2×4&#39;s. 
     In the  FIG. 1 , the storage system  12  includes a first storage subassembly  16 A, a second storage subassembly  16 B that is selectively secured to the first storage subassembly  16 A, and a third second storage subassembly  16 C that is selectively secured to the second storage subassembly  16 B. Further, the storage system  12  can include one or more additional storage subassemblies (not shown) that can be selectively added to the first storage subassembly  16 A. With this design, one or more storage subassemblies can be selectively added to the first storage subassembly  16 A to make a modular type storage system  12  that can be easily adjusted to accommodate additional pieces of sports equipment as necessary 
     In  FIG. 1 , the first storage subassembly  16 A supports the first piece of sports equipment  10 A, the second storage subassembly  16 B supports the second piece of sports equipment  10 B, and the third storage subassembly  16 C is empty. Alternatively, for example, the first storage subassembly  16 A and/or the second storage subassembly  16 B can be empty. 
     The design of each storage subassembly  16 A– 16 C can be varied to suit the types of pieces of sports equipment  10 A,  10 B. In  FIG. 1 , the design of each of the storage subassemblies  16 A– 16 C is substantially the same. Alternatively, for example, one or more of the storage subassemblies  16 A– 16 C can be different from one or more of the other storage subassemblies  16 A– 16 C. 
     In  FIG. 1 , (i) the first storage subassembly  16 A includes a left first frame  18 A and a spaced apart right first frame  18 B that cooperate to support the first piece of sports equipment  10 A, (ii) the second storage subassembly  16 B includes a left second frame  20 A and a spaced apart right second frame  20 B that cooperate to support the second piece of sports equipment  10 B, and (iii) the third storage subassembly  16 C includes a left third frame  22 A and a spaced apart right third frame  22 B that cooperate to support an additional piece of sports equipment (not shown). 
     The distance between the first frame and the second frame of each storage subassembly  16 A– 16 C can be varied to suit the types of pieces of sports equipment  10 A,  10 B and is generally based on the distance between supporting structures. In alternative, non-exclusive embodiments, the first frame and the second frame of each storage subassembly  16 A– 16 C are typically spaced apart a frame distance  24  that is approximately 16, 32, or 48 inches. Stated alternatively, the frame distance  24  can be between approximately 1 and 5 feet. However, the frame distance  24  can be greater or lesser than these amounts. 
     In one embodiment, only one of the storage subassemblies  16 A– 16 C is fixedly secured to the rigid structure  14 . For example, in  FIG. 1 , the first storage subassembly  16 A is fixedly secured to the rigid structure  14 . Further, the second and third storage subassemblies  16 B,  16 C are secured to the rigid structure  14  indirectly via the first storage subassembly  16 A. With this design, the second and third storage subassemblies  16 B,  16 C can be easily added and removed from the rigid structure  14  to expand or contract the storage system  12 . 
     In  FIG. 1 , the storage assembly  12  also includes a fastener assembly  26  that fixedly secures the first frames  18 A,  18 B to the rigid structure  14 . The design of the fastener assembly  26  can vary. In  FIG. 1 , the fastener assembly  26  includes a left fastener  26 A that fixedly secures the left first frame  18 A to the rigid structure  14  and a right fastener  26 B that fixedly secures the right first frame  18 B to the rigid structure  14 . In this embodiment, the left fastener  26 A is a screw that extends through the left first frame  18 A into the rigid structure  14  and the right fastener  26 B is a screw that extends through the right first frame  18 B into the rigid structure  14 . Alternatively, for example, the fastener assembly  26  can include multiple left fasteners  26 A or right fasteners  26 B. Further, one or both of the fasteners  26 A,  26 B can have another design. For example, one or both of the fasteners  26 A,  26 B can be an adhesive. 
     As discussed above, the second storage subassembly  16 B is selectively secured to the first storage subassembly  16 A, and the third second storage subassembly  16 C that is selectively secured to the second storage subassembly  16 B. More specifically, (i) the left second frame  20 A is selectively secured to the left first frame  18 A and the right second frame  20 B is selectively secured to the right first frame  18 B, and (ii) the left third frame  22 A is selectively secured to the left second frame  20 A and the right third frame  22 B is selectively secured to the right second frame  20 B. 
     In one embodiment, each frame  18 A– 22 B includes a first coupling component  28 A and a second coupling component  28 B that facilitate the selective coupling of the second and third subassemblies  16 B,  16 C to the first subassembly  16 A. In this embodiment, (i) the second coupling component  28 B of the left second frame  20 A engages the first coupling component  28 A of the left first frame  18 A to selectively couple the left second frame  20 A to the left first frame  18 A, (ii) the second coupling component  28 B of the right second frame  20 B engages the first coupling component  28 A of the right first frame  18 B to selectively couple the right second frame  20 B to the right first frame  18 B, (iii) the second coupling component  28 B of the left third frame  22 A engages the first coupling component  28 A of the left second frame  20 A to selectively couple the left third frame  22 A to the left second frame  20 A, and (iv) the second coupling component  28 B of the right third frame  22 B engages the first coupling component  28 A of the right second frame  20 B to selectively couple the right third frame  22 B to the right second frame  20 B. 
     The design for each coupling component  28 A,  28 B can vary as long as the second coupling component  28 B can be selectively coupled to the first coupling component  28 A. As an example, when the second coupling component  28 B of the left second frame  20 A is coupled to the first coupling component  28 A of the left first frame  18 A, the left second frame  20 A is inhibited from moving up and down along the rigid structure  14  (along the Y axis) relative to the left first frame  18 A. However, the left second frame  20 A is not inhibited from being pivoted and/or moved outward relative to the left first frame  18 A to selectively couple and uncouple the frames  18 A,  20 A. The other frame arrangements can be coupled and uncoupled in a similar fashion. 
     The design of each frame  18 A– 22 B can be varied to suit the types of pieces of sports equipment  10 A,  10 B. In one of embodiment, each frame  18 A– 22 B has substantially the same size, shape and configuration. Alternatively, one or more of the frames  18 A– 22 B can have a different size, shape and/or configuration than the other frames  18 A– 22 B. In  FIG. 1 , each frame  18 A– 22 B has substantially the same design. In this embodiment, each frame  18 A– 22 B includes a base region  30  that is positioned adjacent to and parallel with the rigid structure  14  and a cantilevering region  32  that cantilevers away from the base region  30 . 
       FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a frame  218  including the base region  30  and the cantilevering region  32  that can be used as one of the frames  18 A– 22 B in  FIG. 1 . In this embodiment, the base region  30  and the cantilevering region  32  are manufactured as a homogeneous, one-piece component. The frame  218  can be made of a rigid material. Non-exclusive examples of suitable materials include plastic, aluminum or steel. 
     In  FIG. 2A , the base region  30  is generally rectangular beam shaped and includes a top  234 A and a bottom  234 B. In this embodiment, the second coupling component  28 B is positioned at the top  234 A and the first coupling component  28 A is positioned at the bottom  234 B. Alternatively, for example, the base region  30  can have another shape. The dimensions of the base region  30  can vary. As non-exclusive embodiments, the base region  30  has a length of approximately 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 inches and a width of approximately 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, or 2 inches. However, other dimensions can be utilized. 
     In  FIG. 2A , the cantilevering region  32  is generally rectangular beam shaped and includes a distal end  236 A that is positioned away from the base region  30  and a proximal end  236 B that is secured to the base region  30 . Alternatively, for example, the cantilevering region  32  can have another shape. The dimensions of the cantilevering region  32  can vary. As non-exclusive embodiments, the cantilevering region  32  has a length of approximately 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 or 24 inches and a width of approximately 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.25, 1.5, or 2 inches. However, other dimensions can be utilized. 
     In  FIG. 2A , the cantilevering region  32  is connected to the base region  30  intermediate the top  234 A and the bottom  234 B. In one embodiment, the cantilevering region  32  is connected to the base region  30  approximately half way between the top  234 A and the bottom  234 B. Alternatively, the cantilevering region  32  can be connected to the base region  30  closer to the top  234 A than the bottom  234 B or the cantilevering region  32  can be connected to the base region  30  closer to the bottom  234 B than the top  234 A. 
     Further, in  FIG. 2A , the cantilevering region  32  extends away from the base region  30  at an angle  238  that is acute. As non-exclusive embodiments, the angle  238  can be approximately 40, 50, 60, 65, 70, or 80 degrees. However, other angles can be utilized. In one embodiment, a transition  240  between the base region  30  and the cantilevering region  32  is curved. This can protect the piece of sports equipment. 
       FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a frame  218 B including the base region  30 B and a first cantilevering region  32 B that can be used as one of the frames  18 A– 22 B in  FIG. 1 . In this embodiment, the base region  30 B and the first cantilevering region  32 B are manufactured as a two-piece assembly with the base region  30 B and the first cantilevering region  32 B made as separate components that are later secured together. This design can allow for easier attachment of the base region  30 B to the rigid structure  14 . Further, this design can be easier to manufacture. 
       FIG. 2B  also illustrates a second cantilevering region  32 C. In one embodiment, the first cantilevering region  32 B or the second cantilevering region  32 C can be selectively and detachably secured to the base region  30 B. The second cantilevering region  32 C can be short and/or at a different angle than the first cantilevering region  32 B. With this design, longer or shorter cantilevering regions  32 B,  32 C can be added as necessary to the base region  30 B without removing the base region  30 B from the rigid structure  14 . This can allow the assembly to be easily changed to receive alternatively sized pieces of sports equipment. In one embodiment, the base region  30 B includes a base aperture  230 B that is sized and shaped to receive the proximal end  236 B of the respective cantilevering region  32 B,  32 C. With this design, each of the cantilevering regions  32 B,  32 C can be alternatively, partly and selectively inserted into the base region  30 B.  FIG. 3  is a side view of the frame  218  from  FIG. 2A . 
       FIGS. 4A–4C  are alternative views of one embodiment of the first coupling component  28 A. In this embodiment, the first coupling component  28 A is a protrusion that is integrally formed into the bottom  234 B of the frame  218 . The protrusion is defined by a pair of opposed protrusion walls  442  that converge away from the bottom  234 B, and a protrusion top  444  that is flat. 
       FIGS. 5A–5C  are alternative views of one embodiment of the second coupling component  28 B. In this embodiment, the second coupling component  28 B is a slot that is integrally formed into the top  234 A of the frame  218 . The slot defines a pair of opposed slot walls  546  that diverge away from the top  234 A, and a slot bottom  548  that is flat. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a portion of an upper frame  618  and a lower frame  620  that are uncoupled. In this position, the lower frame  620  can be moved along the X axis relative to the upper frame  618  to couple the frames  618 ,  620  together. When coupled, the frames  618 ,  620  are inhibited from being moved relative to each other along the Y axis. With this design, the lower frame  620  can be moved along the X axis to selectively couple and decouple the frames  618 ,  620 . 
       FIG. 7  is an exploded, perspective view of another embodiment of the frame  718 . In this embodiment, the cantilevering region  732  and a portion of the base region  730  includes a padded area  750  that protects the piece of sports equipment. The design of padded area  750  can vary. In one embodiment, the padded area  750  is a piece of resilient material that fits into a groove  752  in the frame  718 . Alternatively, for example, the padded area  750  can be a piece of resilient material that encircles a portion of the cantilevering region  732  and the base region  730  or the padded area  750  can be secured with an adhesive to the frame  718 . 
     Additionally, in one embodiment, the storage system can include a first component cover  754  that covers the first coupling component  728 A of the frame  718  and a second component cover  756  that covers the second coupling component  728 B of the frame  718 . In one embodiment, each cover  754 ,  756  is a cap made of a resilient material that is sized and shaped to snuggly fit over the respective coupling component  728 A,  728 B. Alternatively, each cover  754 ,  756  can sized and shaped to mate with the respective coupling component  728 A,  728 B. For example, the first component cover  754  can be sized and shaped somewhat similar to the second coupling component  728 B and the second component cover  756  can be sized and shaped somewhat similar to the first coupling component  728 A. The covers  754  and  756  can be injection molded. 
     It is to be understood that the storage system  12  disclosed herein is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.