Patent Publication Number: US-6988628-B2

Title: Closet storage system

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
   The present application is related to and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/413,886, filed on Sep. 25, 2002. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is generally directed to a closet storage system. More specifically, the invention is directed to a closet storage system that includes a storage component and an adjustable and lockable engagement member for engaging the storage component to secure the storage component in a closet. 
   A traditional closet includes two spaced, opposed sidewalls with a back wall extending between the sidewalls. A closet rod extends between the sidewalls. Sometimes, there is a shelf that extends between the sidewalls above the closet rod. This arrangement works well for hanging clothing items such as dresses or suits. Some articles of clothing, such as sweaters can be folded and placed on the shelf. However, much of the closet space is unutilized. 
   Within the past few years, various types of closet systems have been developed to utilize the space that has not been utilized in a traditional closet. These systems include various types of shelves and closet rods. The systems are attached to the closet walls by fastening devices such as screws, bolts and brackets, which damage the walls of the closet as well as any woodwork within the closet. These types of systems are designed for permanent installation in the closet. As it will be appreciated, these types of systems are unacceptable for those persons who do not want damaged closet walls. They are also unacceptable for those people, such as apartment dwellers, who want to disassemble the closet system and move it to a new location. 
   It has been found that there is a need for a closet storage system that can be easily and quickly placed in an existing closet and disassembled for transportation to another location without damaging closet walls. The present invention satisfies this and other needs. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to a closet storage system that includes one or more storage components. The storage component is secured in a closet by an adjustable and lockable engagement member. 
   The primary object of present invention is to provide a closet storage system that can be easily and quickly assembled in an existing closet and disassembled for removal to another location without damaging closet walls. 
   Other objects and advantages of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference being made to the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a large two-drawer storage component according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a small two-drawer storage component according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a small two-shelf storage component according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a large two-shelf storage component according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a shoe storage component according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a small one-shelf storage component according the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective of an upright member according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a front elevational view of a closet rod engagement member according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the engagement member shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a top view of a closet shelf engagement member according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of an end plate of the engagement member shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
       FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  12 — 12  of  FIG. 11 ; 
       FIG. 13  is a top view of a vertical support member according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 14  is a side elevational view of the vertical support member shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a closet storage system according to the present invention positioned in a closet; 
       FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  16 — 16  of  FIG. 15 ; 
       FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  17 — 17  of  FIG. 15 ; 
       FIG. 18  is an alternative embodiment closet storage system according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 19  is an alternative embodiment closet storage system according to the present invention; and 
       FIG. 20  is an enlarged view of the area indicated in  FIG. 19 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The preferred embodiments and best mode of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference being made to the drawings. In the drawings, the closet storage system of the present invention is indicated generally by the reference number “ 10 ”. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1–7 , a large two-drawer storage component  12  is shown in  FIG. 1 . The component  12  includes a first sidewall  14  spaced from a second sidewall  16 , a top  18  and a bottom  20 . The component  12  includes a top drawer  22  and a bottom drawer  24  positioned between the first and second sidewalls  14  and  16 . Each of the drawers  22  and  24  includes a first handle  26  and a second handle  28 . 
   A small two-drawer storage component  30  is shown in  FIG. 2 . The component  30  includes the elements of the component  12  shown in  FIG. 1 . Accordingly, the same reference numbers have been used. However, the top and bottom drawers  22  and  24  each includes a single handle  32 . 
   A small two-shelf storage component  34  is shown in  FIG. 3 . The component  34  includes first and second sidewalls  14  and  16 , a top  18  and a bottom  20 . The component  34  further includes a top shelf  36  and a bottom shelf  38  positioned between the first and second sidewalls  14  and  16 . 
   A large two-shelf storage component  40  is shown in  FIG. 4 . The component  40  includes the same elements as the component  34 . Accordingly, the same reference numbers have been used. 
   A shoe storage component  42  is shown in  FIG. 5 . The component  42  includes first and second spaced sidewalls  14  and  16 , a top  18  and a bottom  20 . The component  42  further includes a center wall  44  that extends between the top and bottom  18  and  20  parallel to the first and second sidewalls  14  and  16 . A first shelf  46  extends between the first sidewall  14  and the center wall  44 . A second shelf  48  extends between the center wall  44  and the second sidewall  16 . 
   A small one-shelf storage component  50  is shown in  FIG. 6 . The component  50  includes the elements of the component  34  shown in  FIG. 3 . Accordingly, the same reference numbers have been used. However, the component  50  includes a single shelf  52  positioned between the first and second sidewalls  14  and  16 . 
   Each of the components  12 ,  30 ,  34 ,  40 ,  42  and  50  includes a back panel that extends between the first and second sidewalls  14  and  16  and the top and bottom  18  and  20 . A back panel  54  is shown in  FIG. 18  for the component  40 . This is representative of the back panels for the other components. The components  12 ,  30 ,  34 ,  40 ,  42  and  50  each includes one or more openings  56 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 17 , the system  10  includes an upright member  58 . In this embodiment, the member  58  includes an upper section  60  and a lower section  61 . The upper section  60  is joined to the lower section  61  by a connection member  63 . The upright member  58  has a first side  64  and a second side  65 . The upright member  58  includes one or more openings  66 . 
   In a preferred embodiment, the components  12 ,  30 ,  34 ,  40 ,  42  and  50  and the upright member  58  are constructed of laminated compressed particleboard. They are “ready-to-assembly” wherein they are distributed unassembled for assembly by the user at the place of installation of the system  10 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the system  10  includes an adjustable and lockable engagement member such as a closet rod  68 . In this embodiment, the rod  68  includes a first section  70  slidingly positioned in a second section  72 . The first and second section  70  and  72  are elongated and have cylindrical shapes extending about a longitudinal axis A—A. 
   As best shown in  FIG. 9 , the first section  70  includes a first end  74 , a second end  76 , an exterior surface  78  and an interior surface  80 . A projection member  82  having a projection  84  is positioned on the first end  74 . The projection  84  is sized and adapted for insertion in one of the openings  56  of the components  12 ,  30 ,  34 ,  40 ,  42  and  50  or one of the openings  66  of the upright member  58  as shown in  FIGS. 1–7 . The projection  84  is positioned along the axis A—A. 
   Still referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the second section  72  includes a first end  86 , a second end  88 , an exterior surface  90  and an interior surface  92 . The O.D. of the first section  70  as defined by the exterior surface  78  is slightly less than the I.D. of the second section  72  as defined by the interior surface  92 . The second end  88  includes a bolt securement member  94  that includes a threaded opening  96 . In this embodiment, an end member  98  having an exterior surface  100  and an interior surface  102  is positioned on the second end  88  of the second section  72 . The interior surface  102  houses a threaded bolt  104  that is aligned with the axis A—A. The bolt  104  is rotatably positioned in the opening  96  to removably attach the end member  98  to the second section  72 . A projection member  106  is positioned on the exterior surface  100  of the end member  98  in alignment of the axis A—A. The projection  106  is sized and adapted to be positioned in one of the openings  56  or  66  as shown in  FIGS. 1–7 . In a preferred embodiment, the first and second sections  70  and  72  and the end member  98  are constructed of metal. 
   As shown in  FIG. 9 , a locking device  108  is positioned on the second end  76  of the first section  70 . In this embodiment, the locking device  108  includes an eccentric cam  110  moveably and rotatably mounted on a cam holder  112 . The cam holder  112  includes a first end  114 , a first cylindrical section  116 , a second cylindrical section  118  and a reduced cylindrical section  120  having a stop  122 . The first and second cylindrical sections  116  and  118  are positioned on-center with respect to the axis A—A. The reduced cylindrical section  120  is positioned off-center with respect to the axis A—A. As shown in  FIG. 9 , a cavity  124  is defined between the first and second cylindrical sections  116  and  118  around the reduced cylindrical section  120 . The cam holder  112  includes a second end  126 . 
   Still referring to  FIG. 9 , the cam  110  includes a cylindrical exterior surface  128  and a cylindrical interior surface  130 . The cam  110  has a split-ring compressible construction. The cam  110  is rotatably mounted on the reduced cylindrical section  120  of the cam holder  112  in the cavity  124 . The cam  110  includes engagement portions  132  that engage the stop  122  to restrict rotational movement of the cam with respect to the reduced cylindrical section  120 . As it will be appreciated, the off-center positioning of the reduced cylindrical section  120  makes the cam  110  eccentrically mounted. As the cam  110  is rotated on the reduced cylindrical section  120 , the exterior surface  128  of the cam  110  moves from a position in which the exterior surface is flush with the exterior surfaces  134  and  136  of the first and second cylindrical sections  112  and  118 , respectively, to a position in which a portion of the exterior surface  128  of the cam  110  extends beyond the exterior surfaces  134  and  136 . In a preferred embodiment, the locking device  108  is constructed of plastic. 
   The rod  68  is operated by sliding the first and second sections  70  and  72  with respect to one another to adjust the rod to a desired length. In one embodiment, the rod  68  can be adjusted within a range of 23 to 38 inches. Once the rod  68  is adjusted, the first section  70  is turned in a first direction with respect to the second section  72 . This causes the cam  110  to rotate on the reduced cylindrical section  120  until the engagement portions  132  engage the stop  122 . The exterior surface  128  of the cam  110  then firmly engages the interior surface  92  of the second section  72  to horizontally lock the first section  70  to the second section  72 . The turning of the first section  70  in a second direction opposite to the first direction causes the cam  110  to travel in the opposite direction so that it disengages the interior surface  92  of the second section  72  to allow the first section to unlock and slide within the second section. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 10–12 , an adjustable and lockable engagement member such as a closet rod shelf  140  is shown. The shelf  140  includes a rod  68  that has the same elements as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . Accordingly, the same reference numbers have been used. The shelf  140  includes a first end plate  142  having an outer surface  144  and an inner surface  146 . The shelf  140  further includes a second end plate  148  having an outer surface  150  and an inner surface  152 . The rod  68  extends between the inner surfaces  146  and  152  of the first and second end plates  142  and  148 , respectively. The rod  68  is attached to the first and second end plates  142  and  148  by spring washers  154 . The shelf  140  includes two nonlockable outer rods  156  and  158  that extend between the inner surfaces  156  and  152  of the first and second end plates  142  and  148 , respectively, in which the rod  68  is positioned between the outer rods. Each of the outer rods  156  and  158  includes a first section  160  slidingly positioned in a second section  162 . Each of the first and second end plates  142  and  148  includes projections  164  that are sized and adapted to be positioned in the openings  56  and  66  as shown in  FIGS. 1–7 . In this embodiment, each end plate  142  and  148  includes two spaced projections  164  positioned adjacent to the outer rods  156  and  158 . In a preferred embodiment, the rod  68  (with the exception of a plastic locking device  108 ), the outer rods  156  and  158  and the first and second end plates  142  and  148  are constructed of metal. 
   In operation, the shelf  140  can be adjusted by sliding the first and second sections of the rod  68  and the outer rods  156  and  158  to a desired length. In this embodiment, the shelf  140  can be adjusted within a range of 23 to 36 inches. The rod  68  can then be operated as described above to lock the first and second sections  70  and  72  together. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 13 ,  14  and  16 , the system  10  includes and an adjustable and lockable vertical securement device  170 . The device  170  includes an upper member  172  and a lower member  174 . As shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the upper and lower members  172  and  174 , as represented by upper member  172 , includes a first end  176 , a second end  178 , a top surface  180  and a bottom surface  182 . A longitudinally extending groove  184  extends between the top and bottom surfaces  180  and  182 . Two openings  186  extend between the top and bottom surfaces  180  and  182  adjacent to the first end  176 . As shown in  FIG. 16 , the upper member  172  is positioned with respect to the lower member  174  so that the bottom surface  182  of the upper member engages the top surface  180  of the lower member so that the grooves  184  of the upper and lower members are aligned. Fastening devices such as a first bolt and wing nut assembly  188  and a second bolt and wing nut assembly  190  extend through the grooves  184 . The wing nuts are tightened until they engage the bottom surface  182  of the lower member  174  to lock the upper member  172  to the lower member  174 . As shown in  FIG. 16 , fastening devices such as screws  192  are inserted through the openings  186  of the lower member  174  to attach the lower member to, for example, the top  18  of the storage component  34 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 15 , a closet storage system  10  according to the present invention is shown positioned within a closet  194  having a first sidewall  196 , a second sidewall  198 , a back wall  200 , a first front wall  202 , a second front wall  204  and a floor  206 . The closet  194  also includes baseboard  208  adjacent the floor  206 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 15–17 , the embodiment of the closet system  10  as shown includes two stacked storage components  34  positioned adjacent to the first sidewall  196  of the closet  194 . The system  10  includes a stack of storage components  42 ,  50 ,  30  and  40  positioned adjacent to the components  34 . The system  10  further includes an upright member  58  positioned adjacent to the second sidewall  198  of the closet  194 . As shown in  FIG. 17 , a first cleat  210  and a second cleat  212  are positioned between the second side  65  of the upright member  58  and the second sidewall  198  above and below the connection member  63 . The first and second cleats  210  and  212  space the upright member  58  with respect to the second sidewall  198  to compensate for the connection member  63  and the base board  208 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 15 , a rod  68  extends between the second sidewall  16  of the storage component  40  and the upper section  60  of the upright member  58 . In this embodiment, the projection  84  of the rod  68  is positioned in one of the openings  56  of the component  40  and the projection  106  of the rod is positioned in one of the openings  66  of the upright member  58 . 
   Still referring to  FIG. 15 , the rod shelf  140  extends between the component  42  and the lower section  61  of the upright member  58 . The projections  164  of the shelf  140  are positioned in the openings  56  of the component  42  and the projections  164  at the opposite end of the shelf  140  are positioned in the openings  66  of the upright member  58 . 
   When the rod  68  and the rod shelf  140  are adjusted and locked, they exert force against the storage components  34  and the upright member  58  so that they firmly engage the first and second sidewalls  196  and  198  of the closet  194  to horizontally secure the system  10  in position. 
   As shown in  FIG. 16 , the vertical securement device  170  firmly engages the back wall  200  and the first front wall  202  of the closet  194  to vertically secure the system in position. In this regard, the first end  176  of the lower member  174  engages the back wall  200  and the second end  178  of the upper member  172  engages the first front wall  202 . As it will be appreciated, the system  10  can be positioned within a closet  194  without the use of any screws, bolts or brackets that could damage the closet walls. Further, the system  10  can be disassembled and removed from the closet without damage to the closet walls. 
   Referring to  FIG. 18 , an alternative embodiment system  10  according to the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the system  10  includes first and second cleats  210  and  212 , an upright member  58 , two rods  68 , a rod shelf  140  and a stack of components  42 ,  12 ,  50 ,  30  and  40 . The system includes a stack of two components  34 . The system  10  further includes a vertical securement device  170 , as shown in  FIG. 16 . It should be understood that alternative embodiment systems  10  can consist of many different combinations of components, closet rods and closet rod shelves. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 19 and 20 , an alternative embodiment closet storage system  10  according to the present invention is shown. This embodiment is for use in a walk-in closet  194  that does not include opposed sidewalls. Instead, the closet  194  has a back wall  200 , a floor  206  and a sidewall  214 . The system  10  includes, for example, a first stack of components  216  positioned adjacent to the back wall  200  and a second stack of components  218  positioned adjacent to the sidewall  214  at the intersection of the back wall  200  and the sidewall  214 . An upright member  58  is positioned on the front of the second stack  218  adjacent to back wall  200 . A rod  68  and a rod shelf  140  extend between the first stack  216  and the upright member  58 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 , an L-shaped bracket is used to stabilize the first,stack  216 . The bracket  220  includes a minor portion  222  having an opening  224  for the positioning of a fastening device such as a screw  226  that extends into the back wall  200  of the closet  194 . The bracket  220  includes a major portion  228 , which is positioned perpendicularly to the minor portion  222 . The major portion  228  includes openings  230  for receiving a fastening device such as a screw  232  that extends into the top  18  of the component  34 . As it will be appreciated, the screw  226  creates a small hole in the back wall  200  that can be easily and quickly repaired. 
   The above detailed description of the present invention is given for explanatory purposes. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the whole of the foregoing description is to be construed in an illustrative and not a limitative sense, the scope of the invention being defined solely by the appended claims.