Patent Publication Number: US-2009223915-A1

Title: Article storage device

Description:
This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/034,493, filed Mar. 7, 2008, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure generally relates to an improved article storage device, and particularly relates to a rotatable and slidable article storage device, such as a shoe rack, for optimizing storage and/or accessibility within a confined area, such as a closet. 
     Household storage space for clothing and accessory articles is generally limited in one&#39;s residence. Such storage space often includes closets, which are particularly configured for hanging clothes and sometimes provide a minimal amount of shelf space for storing accessory articles. Many times, shoes are stored within a closet, such as an entry area closet, on a floor thereof. Unfortunately, simply storing shoes on a floor of a closet often results in disorganized and inefficient piling of shoes within already crowded closet spaces and/or in the stacking of shoes in shoe boxes in and around a closet area on otherwise usable floor space. This tends to make selection of a matching pair of shoes difficult. 
     In an effort to deal with these problems, many types of storage devices have been designed over the years to accommodate and store various articles, including shoes. These devices are sometimes particularly configured for use within a closet. For example, shoe racks are known of the type that are mounted to the wall of a closet, or rested on the closet floor, or supported by various types of frame structures. Another type of a shoe rack is a fabric type having a plurality of pockets adapted to receive shoes therein that is fastened the backside of a closet door. Unfortunately, many of these prior art article storage devices, including shoe racks, suffer drawbacks in that they are too cumbersome, take up too much space, are difficult to use, fail to sufficiently maximize storage space within a closet or other confined area, etc. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one aspect, a shoe rack is provided. More particularly, in accordance with this aspect, the shoe rack includes a base and a shelf unit slidably and rotatably mounted to the base. The shelf unit defines a plurality of stacked shoe receptacles each dimensioned for receipt of a pair of shoes. The plurality of stacked shoe receptacles includes at least a first shoe receptacle having a first shoe receptacle access opening disposed along a first side of the shelf unit and at least a second shoe receptacle having a second shoe receptacle access opening disposed along a second, opposite side of the shelf unit. 
     According to another aspect, a shoe or article storage device is provided for optimizing storage and accessibility within a confined area, such as a closet. More particularly, in accordance with this aspect, the shoe or article storage device includes a base and a shelf unit. The shelf unit is slidably mounted to the base for movement between a first position and a second offset position. The shelf unit is also rotatably mounted to the base for rotatable movement relative thereto. The shelf unit includes a first tier of article receptacles and a second tier of article receptacles stacked on top of the first tier. Each tier of article receptacles includes at least a first receptacle having a first receptacle access opening disposed at a first side of the shelf unit and at least a second receptacle having a second receptacle access opening disposed at a second, opposite side of the shelf unit. 
     According to still another aspect, a rotatable and slidable article storage rack is provided. More particularly, in accordance with this aspect, the rotatable and slidable article storage rack includes a base and a shelf unit slidably and rotatably mounted to the base. The shelf unit defines a plurality of tiered receptacles. The tiered receptacles include a first set of receptacles having first access openings facing outward from a first side of the shelf unit and a second set of receptacles having second access openings facing outward from a second side of the shelf unit. The first access openings face in a first direction relative to the base when the shelf unit is in a first rotatable position relative to the base. The second access openings face in the first direction when the shelf unit is rotated from the first rotatable position one hundred and eighty degrees to a second rotatable position relative to the base. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a rotatable and slidable article storage device. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the article storage device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the article storage device shown located with a confined area and slidably moved into a second offset position. 
         FIG. 4  is another perspective view of the article storage device shown being rotated from the position in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is still another perspective view of the article storage device shown being further rotated to a second rotatable position wherein receptacles on a second side of the device are accessible. 
         FIG. 6  is perspective view of an article storage device according to an alternate embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of the article storage device of  FIG. 6 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are only for purposes of illustrating one or more exemplary embodiments and not for limiting the same,  FIGS. 1 and 2  show a shoe or article storage device  10  which can optimize storage and/or accessibility within a confined area, such as a closet. As will be described in more detail below, the illustrated storage device  10  is a rotatable and slidable storage device including a base  12  and a shelf unit  14  slidably and rotatably mounted to the base  12 . As will also be described in more detail below, the storage rack  10  can be particularly adapted for storing shoes and when so configured can be referred to as a shoe rack. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, a mounting assembly  16  ( FIG. 2 ) slidably and rotatably mounts the shelf unit  14  to the base  12 . Specifically, the mounting assembly  16  includes at least one slidable track member  18  (two track members are employed in the illustrated embodiment), an intermediate plate or member  20 , and a rotatable plate or member  22 . The shelf unit  14  is slidably mounted to the base  12  via the track members  18  for movement between a first or home position (shown in  FIG. 1 ) and a second offset position (shown in  FIG. 3 ). When moved from the first position to the second offset position, the shelf unit  14  (along with the intermediate and rotatable members  20 ,  22 ) moves relative to the base  12  along the track members  18 . The shelf unit  14  is rotatably mounted to the base  12  through the rotatable member  22 , which allows rotatable movement of the shelf unit  14  relative to the base  12 . Such rotatable movement of the shelf unit  14  also occurs relative to intermediate member  20  and the track members  18 . 
     As shown, the shelf unit  14  defines a plurality of tiered receptacles. In particular, the shelf unit  14  includes a first tier  30  of article receptacles and second tier  32  of article receptacles stacked on top of the first tier. In the illustrated embodiment, the shelf unit  14  further includes a third tier  34  of article receptacles stacked on top of the second tier  32 . Of course, while the illustrated embodiment employs three tiers of article receptacles, it is to be appreciated that fewer or more tiers could be employed. In addition, varying dimensions could be employed (i.e., dimensions and/or proportions other than those depicted in the illustrated embodiment. 
     Each tier of article receptacles includes at least a first receptacle having a first receptacle access opening disposed at a first side  36  of the shelf unit  14  and the at least a second receptacle having a second receptacle access opening disposed at a second, opposite side  38  ( FIG. 5 ) of the shelf unit  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first tier  30  includes a first set of receptacles  40 ,  42  having first access openings  40   a,    42   a  facing outward from the first side  36  of the shelf unit  14 . With additional reference to  FIG. 5 , the first tier  30  also includes a second set of receptacles  44 ,  46  having second access openings  44   a,    46   a  facing outward from the second side  38  of the shelf unit  14 . The first access openings  42   a,    44   a  face in a first direction relative to the base  12  (i.e., outward from forward side  78  of base  12 ) when the shelf unit is in its first rotatable position relative to the base  12  (the rotatable position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 ). The second access openings  44   a,    46   a  face in the same first direction (i.e., outward from forward side  78  of base  12 ) when the shelf unit  14  is rotated from the first rotatable position one hundred and eighty degrees (180°) to the second rotatable position relative to the base (shown in  FIG. 5 ). As shown, the first receptacles  40 ,  42  of the first tier  30  and the second receptacles  44 ,  46  of the first tier  30  are disposed in back-to-back relation and, in the illustrated embodiment, share a common back wall  48 . 
     The second and third tiers  32 ,  34  can similarly include respective first sets of receptacles and second sets of receptacles. More specifically, the second tier  32  can include a first set of receptacles  50 ,  52  having first access openings  50   a,    52   a  facing outward from the first side  36  of the shelf unit  14  and a second set of receptacles  54 ,  56  having second access openings  54   a,    56   a  facing outward from the second side  38  of the shelf unit. Likewise, the third tier  34  can include the first set of receptacles  58 ,  60  having first access openings  58   a,    60   a  facing outward from the first side  36  of the shelf unit  14  and a second set of receptacles  62 ,  64  having second access openings  62   a,    64   a  facing outward from the second side  38  of the shelf unit  14 . As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the article receptacles described thusfar of the first, second, and third tiers  30 ,  32 ,  34  can all be generally be box-shaped, though this is not required. 
     In use, the storage device  10  can be placed within a confined area, such as closet  70  shown in  FIGS. 3-5 . The storage device  10  is particularly suitable for being positioned along a wall  72  within such a confined area  70 . In the illustrated embodiment, the receptacles of the storage device  10  are each shown as being dimensioned or sized particularly for receipt of a pair of shoes  76 . When positioned in its rest or home position (shown in  FIG. 1 ) and located within a closet  70  along wall  72 , access to the receptacles  40 ,  42 ,  50 ,  52 ,  58 ,  60  facing outward from shelf unit side  36  is easily gained as the corresponding access openings  40   a,    42   a,    50   a,    52   a,    58   a,    60   a  are facing outward away from the wall  72  in the direction of first side  78  of the base  12 . In contrast, the access openings  44   a,    46   a,    54   a,    56   a,    62   a,    64   a  of the second receptacles  44 ,  46 ,  54 ,  56 ,  62 ,  64  are relative inaccessible as these face in a direction toward the wall  72  away from second side  80  of the base  12  (i.e., the second side  80  being positioned along the wall  72 ). Generally, the second side  80  of the base  12 , and the second side  38  of the shelf unit  14  when the shelf unit is in its first home position, define a positioning plane, which can be closely adjacent the wail  72  and is generally parallel therewith. 
     When the device  10  is positioned adjacent or against the wall  72 , the positioning plane is closely adjacent the wall  72  of the confined space (i.e., closet  70 ).  72 . Absent such slidable movement to the second offset position, the wall  72  would impede rotation of the shelf unit  14 . Thus, the shelf unit  14  is only rotatable from the first rotatable position at  FIG. 1  to the second rotatable position of  FIG. 5  when the shelf unit  14  is slidably displaced. When in the second offset position, the shelf unit can be rotated as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  to the second rotatable position of  FIG. 5  thereby providing access to the receptacles  44 ,  46 ,  54 ,  56 ,  62 ,  64  of the second side  38  of the shelf unit  14 . As a result of the shelf unit  14  being slidable to the offset position, the shelf unit can remain fully disposed on one side of the positioning plane, and when in the second offset position of  FIGS. 3-5 , it can be rotated fully through three hundred and sixty degrees (360°) without passing through the positioning plane. 
     The article storage device  10  can be formed of knockdown components for easy assembly. More particularly, with reference to  FIG. 2 , the shelf unit  14  can be constructed of a plurality of generally planar members that interlock with one another and are secured together via conventional fastening devices (e.g., cam action knock-down fasteners). In particular, the depicted shelf unit  14  includes a base wall or member  90 , a plurality of vertical walls  92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  98 ,  48  and a top wall or member  102 . The vertical walls include the common back wall  48 , end walls  92 ,  94  and dividing walls  96 ,  98 . These vertical walls can be secured or connected to the base and top walls  90 ,  102  via cam action knock-down fasteners  100 , which can include dowels  100   a  received in dowel holes  101   a  and cams  100   b  received in recesses  101   b.  The dowel  100   a  then being releasably secured in the cams  100   b.  Of course other types of knock-down fasteners could be used, or other conventional fasteners (e.g., screws). To form the article receptacles on each side of the common wall  48 , horizontal dividing walls  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  can be interlocked with the vertical walls  92 ,  94 ,  96 . In particular, a first horizontal wall  104  having slots  104   a  can be interlocked to walls  92 ,  94 ,  96  via corresponding slots  112  defined respectively in these walls. The horizontal wall  104  divides the first tier  30  from the second tier  32 . The second horizontal wall  106  can likewise include slots  106   a  for engaging corresponding slots  114  on the walls  92 ,  94 ,  96  to divide the second tier  32  from the third tier  34 . In a similar fashion, on the opposite side of common wall  48 , first and second horizontal walls  108 ,  110  can respectively include slots  108   a,    110   a  for engagement with corresponding slots  116 ,  118  defined in the vertical walls  92 ,  94 ,  96 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, a shelf unit  14  generally has a race track shape (i.e., oval or elliptical with parallel straight sides). More specifically, the shelf unit  14  has a major dimension  124  and a minor dimension  126  defined between the first and second sides  36 ,  38 , which are parallel with one another. Corresponding to this shape are the base wall  90  and top wall  102 . The major dimension  124  thus defines a length of the shelf unit  14  and the minor dimension  126  defines a width of the shelf unit  14 , with the major dimension being greater than the minor dimension in the illustrated embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 1 , vertical support members  132 ,  134  extend from the base wall  90  to the top wall  102  at central portions of the shelf unit curved ends  128 ,  130 . The vertical support members  132 ,  134  can include respective grooves  132   a,    134   a  for receiving opposite ends of the horizontal walls  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 . In addition, as shown in  FIG. 1 , shelf space defined by the horizontal walls  104 - 110  adjacent ends thereof (i.e., between vertical walls  92 ,  94 ) and corresponding vertical supports  132 ,  134  can provide auxiliary storage space  136  on the storage device  10 . 
     As already discussed herein, and as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the storage device  10  can be a shoe rack wherein the plurality of receptacles  40 - 46  and  50 - 64  are stacked shoe receptacles of the shelf unit  14 , each dimensioned for receipt of a pair of shoes, such as pair of shoes  70 . In this case, these receptacles  40 ,  42 ,  50 ,  52 ,  58 ,  60  are first shoe receptacles with their access openings disposed along the first side  36  and the receptacles  44 ,  46 ,  54 ,  56 ,  62 ,  64  are second shoe receptacles having respective access openings disposed along the second, opposite side  38  of the shelf unit  14 . Additionally, first shoe receptacle access openings and the first side  36  of the shelf unit  14  are disposed on the first side  78  of the base when the shelf unit  14  is in the first rotatable position shown in  FIG. 1  relative to the base  12 , whereas the second shoe receptacle access openings and the second side  38  of the shelf unit  14  are disposed on the first side  78  of the base  12  when the shelf unit is rotated to the second rotatable position ( FIG. 5 ) relative to the base  12  (i.e., the second rotatable position being 
     The track members  18  permit the shelf unit  14  to be linearly movable relative to the base  12  to allow the shelf unit to be moved relative to the base prior to rotating the shelf unit relative to the base. In particular, the shelf unit  14  is linearly movable from the first position of  FIG. 1  wherein the shelf unit is disposed directly over the base  12  to a second position of  FIGS. 3-5  wherein the shelf unit is offset relative to the front side  78  of the base. When disposed in the closet  70 , the shelf unit  14  is slidable relative to the base  12  from the first linear position to the second linear position a distance sufficient to allow the shelf unit  14  to fully rotate while in the second position without the first and second ends  128 ,  130  of the shelf unit  14  crossing through the plane defined by the second side  38  of the shelf unit when in the first position. 
     With reference to  FIG. 6 , a shoe or article storage device  200  is shown according to an alternate embodiment. Except as noted hereinbelow, device  200  can be the same or similar to the storage device  10  already described. The device  200  has a generally circular configuration as opposed to the oval or elliptical shape or configuration of the device  10 . Additionally, shelf unit  202  of the device  200  is only rotatably movable relative to base  204  (i.e., there is no slidable movement of the shelf unit  202  relative to the base  204 ), such as by rotatable member  205 . Thus, access to the receptacles of storage device  200  is gained simply by rotating the shelf unit  202  relative to the base  204 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 7 , the storage device  200  can be constructed of knock-down components, which allow for easy assembly and/or disassembly. In particular, shelf unit  202  can be formed of a base member or wall  206  and a top member or wall  208  with vertical walls  210 ,  212 ,  214 ,  216 ,  218  secured thereto. In particular, common wall  210  can be flanked by end walls  212 ,  214  and dividing walls  216 ,  218  can be arranged orthogonal relative to the common wall  210 . Cam action fasteners (not shown) can be used to secure the vertical walls  210 ,  212 ,  214 ,  216 ,  218  to the walls  206 ,  208 , or other conventional fasteners could be used. Like horizontal walls  104 - 110  of the device  10 , the shelf unit  202  can include horizontal walls  224 ,  226 ,  228 ,  230  each having respective slots  224   a,    226   a,    228   a,    230   a  that cooperatively engage corresponding slots  224  of the walls  212 - 218 . In addition, and also like the storage device  10 , vertical support members  232 ,  234  can be provided adjacent and spaced apart from the end walls  212 ,  214  to define auxiliary storage space  236  for each tier of the storage device  200 . 
     The exemplary embodiment has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the exemplary embodiment be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.