Abstract:
Overhead storage device adapted to be easily and inexpensively flush mounted on a variety of ceilings with little or no modification to the ceiling. The device is hingedly connected to a pan portion suspended from a ceiling and is selectively moveable from a first closed position against the ceiling to a second open position away from the ceiling.

Description:
This application is a continuation of prior application Ser. No. 09/126,792 filed Jul. 31, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,088,239. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to storage devices and more particularly to a ceiling mounted overhead storage device that may be quickly and easily attached directly to, or within, a variety of ceiling systems. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Overhead storage systems are well known in the art. One shortcoming of conventional overhead storage devices is that they are often expensive and complicated to manufacture. Another shortcoming of conventional devices is that they are often difficult and time consuming to install. Yet another shortcoming of conventional overhead storage systems is that their installation often requires that a portion of the ceiling be removed or modified to permit installation of the device. Still another shortcoming of conventional overhead storage devices is that they often lack the rigidity and structural strength to permit the safe and rapid storage and retrieval of heavy objects. 
     Thus, there is a need for an overhead storage device that is inexpensive to manufacture and that can be easily and quickly installed directly to, or within, a variety of ceiling systems to permit the safe and rapid overhead storage and retrieval of even very heavy objects. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of this invention to provide an overhead storage device that is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to install. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide an overhead storage device that may be quickly and easily installed on, or within, a wide variety of different ceiling systems without requiring modification or removal of a portion of the ceiling. 
     It is still another object of this invention to provide an overhead storage device that is lightweight, decorative, and possesses improved strength and rigidity to permit heavy objects to be safely and rapidly stored overhead. 
     It is yet another object of this invention to provide a ceiling mounted storage device, comprising a storage bin having a closed bottom end and an open top end defining a storage compartment and a reinforcing ring engagement lip projecting from the first end of the storage bin. A reinforcing ring having a first channel and a second channel is provided. The first channel is sized and adapted to engage and retain the engagement lip and the second channel is sized and adapted to engage and retain the second portion of a latch assembly. The second channel is also adapted to engage and retain a reinforcing ring securing member. A pan portion having a first major surface and a second major surface is provided with a means for securing the pan portion to the ceiling. A reinforcing plate is disposed on the first major surface of the pan portion. A hinge hingedly connects the pan portion and the storage bin and is adapted to permit the storage bin to be selectively moveable in a first direction towards the pan portion to a first closed position and moveable in a second direction away from the pan portion to a second open position. A latch means assembly comprising a first portion and a second portion is provided with the first and second portions cooperatively disposed to permit the bin to be selectively secured in the first position. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing the components of one embodiment of an overhead storage system constructed in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 2 shows a storage bin constructed in accordance with the invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional end view taken along line A—A of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a detailed view of a hinge assembly and its method of attachment; 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of a storage bin shown disposed in a first closed position and shown in phantom disposed in a second open position; 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional end view taken through a draw-latch type latch assembly attached to the storage system; 
     FIG. 6A is an exploded view of a portion of the draw-latch assembly shown in FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 6B shows a touch-latch-type latch assembly constructed in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 6C shows an alternative embodiment of a second portion of a draw-latch type latch assembly utilized in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 6D shows an alternative embodiment of a second portion of a touch-latch type latch assembly-utilized in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the device is suspended from a pencil rod; 
     FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the invention in which the device is suspended from a flat bar; 
     FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the invention that utilizes a gas spring cylinder; 
     FIG. 10 shows details of a preferred embodiment for securing the gas spring cylinder shown in FIG. 9 to the storage bin; 
     FIG. 11 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention that utilizes a scissor hinge; 
     FIG. 12 is a side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional end view taken along line A—A of FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 14 is a detailed side view of the scissor mechanism shown in FIGS. 11-13; 
     FIG. 15 shows a duplex plate mounted on the pan portion; 
     FIG. 15A shows a duplex plate mounted within the storage bin; 
     FIG. 16 shows a plurality of portals disposed in the storage bin; 
     FIG. 17 shows a means for transmitting signals attached to the storage bin; and 
     FIG. 18 shows a means for mounting an electrical device to the external surface of the storage bin. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of one embodiment of a storage system  1  constructed in accordance with the invention comprising a pan  2 , a liner  3 , a reinforcing ring  4 , and a storage container or bin  5 . The storage container or bin  5  has a closed bottom end  6  and an open top end  7  defining a storage compartment  8 . The bin  5  may be manufactured from a variety of strong yet lightweight materials well known to those skilled in the art as suitable for this purpose, however, in a preferred embodiment vacuum formed styrene is utilized. The bin  5  may be shaped and sized as specific applications dictate, however, in an especially preferred embodiment, shown in FIG. 2, a bin having a width  9  of about 23.5 inches, a length  10  of about 47.5 inches, and a depth  11  of about 16 inches is utilized. The bin  5  may also be provided with removable or permanent dividers  12  to accommodate specific storage needs as shown in FIG.  2 . The bin  5  may also be provided with an external decorative or ornamental treatment such as paint, decals, or textured surfaces (not shown). As shown in FIGS. 1,  2 , and  3 , the bin  5  is provided with a reinforcing ring engagement lip  13  that projects from the open top end  7  of the storage bin  5 . 
     FIGS. 1 and 3 show a reinforcing ring  4  having a first channel  14  and a second channel  15 . The first channel  14  is sized and adapted to receive and retain the reinforcing ring engagement lip  13  that projects from the top end  7  of the storage bin  5 . The second channel  15  is sized and adapted to engage and retain a reinforcing ring securing member  16  as shown in FIG.  4 . The reinforcing ring securing member  16  may be substantially solid as shown in FIGS. 4 and 13 or may be tubular. In an especially preferred embodiment the reinforcing ring securing member  16  is tubular and has a substantially triangular configuration when viewed in cross-section as shown in FIGS. 6 and 6B. This tubular and substantially triangular configuration results in a stronger and more rigid reinforcing ring securing member  16 ′ shown in FIGS. 6 and 6B that is lightweight, imparts greater strength and rigidity to the bin  5 , and also provides an additional support surface  69  which provides additional support to the reinforcing ring  4 . The reinforcing ring securing member  16  and  16 ′ secures the reinforcing ring  4  to the bin  5  and secures the reinforcing ring engagement lip  13  in the first channel  14  of the reinforcing ring  4 . The reinforcing ring  4  and the reinforcing ring securing member  16  and  16 ′ may be made of a wide variety of materials well known to those skilled in the art as suitable for this purpose, however in a preferred embodiment metal is utilized, and in an especially preferred embodiment aluminum is utilized. The reinforcing ring securing member  16  and  16 ′ can be attached to the bin  5  using a wide variety of means well known to those skilled in the art as suitable for this purpose, e.g., screws, bolts, rivets, adhesives, and welding, however, in a preferred embodiment a plurality of pop-rivets  68  as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6B is utilized. 
     FIGS. 6 and 6B show two embodiments of a latch means assembly having a first portion communicating with the pan portion and a second portion communicating with the storage bin for selectively securing the storage bin in the closed first position  42 . 
     FIGS. 6 and 6A show a draw-latch type latch means assembly  17  comprising a first draw-latch hook portion  18  and second portion  19 . The second portion  19  comprises a draw-latch portion  20 , an engagement loop  21 , and a draw-latch blocking portion  22  cooperatively disposed to permit the engagement loop  21  to selectively engage the draw-latch hook  18  to permit the bin  5  to be selectively secured when it has been moved to the first or closed position  42 . In another preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 6B, the latch means assembly comprises a “touch-latch” type latch assembly  23 , i.e., the type of latch that can be unlatched by simply moving or pushing the bin slightly in the first direction  41  towards the pan portion  2 . In an especially preferred embodiment, a hydro-pneumatic roller type touch-latch is utilized. The touch-latch  23  is comprised of a first portion  24  communicating with the pan plate assembly  2  and a second portion  25  communicating with the storage bin  5 . 
     The first portion  18  and  24  of the latch means assembly  17  and  23  may be attached directly to the pan assembly  2  and the second portion  19  and  25  of the latch means assembly  17  and  17 ′ is attached directly to the storage bin  5 . In a preferred embodiment the second portion  19  and  25  of the latch means assembly  17  and  23  is attached to storage bin  5  via the securing ring  4 . In another preferred embodiment the second portion  19  and  25  of the latch means assembly  17  and  23  is attached to storage bin  5  via the reinforcing ring securing member  16  and  16 ′. In an especially preferred embodiment the second portion  19  and  25  of the latch means assembly  17  and  23  is attached to storage bin  5  via both the securing ring  4  and the reinforcing ring securing member  16  and  16 ′ to impart additional strength and rigidity to the system. In an alternative embodiment, the second portion  19  and  25  of the latch means assembly  17  and  23  is formed integral with the reinforcing ring  4 . 
     In an especially preferred embodiment, shown in FIGS. 6C and 6D, the second portion  19 ′ and  25 ′ of the latch means assembly  17  and  23  is sized and adapted to be retained in the second channel  15  of the reinforcing ring  4 . As shown in FIGS. 6C and 6D, the second channel  15  is also sized and adapted to engage and retain the second portion  19 ′ and  25 ′ of a latch means having a first portion and a second portion. 
     The second portions  19 ,  19 ′,  25  and  25 ′ are preferably shaped to match the shape of the reinforcing ring  4  in order to present a smooth and attractive external appearance. The interlocking of the reinforcing ring  4 , the reinforcing ring securing member  16  and  16 ′, and the second portion  19 ,  19 ′,  25 , and  25 ′ of the latch assembly  17  and  23  imparts additional strength and rigidity to the assembly. 
     FIGS. 1 and 3 show a liner  3  disposed on the second major surface  27  of the pan assembly  2 . The liner  3  is both decorative and helps to seal the contents of the storage bin  5  from dust and debris. The liner  3  may be attached to the pan portion  2  in a variety of ways, e.g., glue or double sided tape, however, in a preferred embodiment a velcro® type fastener is utilized. 
     The pan portion  2  shown in FIGS. 1,  3 , and  6  has a first major surface  26  and a second major surface  27  and is provided with means for securing the pan portion  2  to the ceiling  29 . In a preferred embodiment the means for securing the pan portion  2  comprises a plurality of apertures  30  disposed in the pan portion through which screws  31  can be inserted and secured to the ceiling rafters  32  as shown in FIG.  6 . For many applications these apertures  30  are preferably spaced  16 ″ and  24 ″ apart to conform to standard center-to-center spacing of most ceiling beams. The pan portion  2  may also be provided with slotted apertures  33 , as shown in FIG. 1, to facilitate and provide greater flexibility in installation. In an especially preferred embodiment the pan portion  2  is also provided with a plurality of selectively moveable pan tabs  34  each of which is provided with a pan tab engagement aperture  35 . The pan tabs  34  provide greater flexibility of installation and are especially useful when used to attach the pan  2  to ceiling systems having conventional “pencil rods”  36  as shown in FIG. 7 or “flat bars”  37  as shown in FIG.  8 . Alternatively, the pan  2  may be suspended from a “T-Bar”  38  of a suspended ceiling as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. A reinforcing plate  39  is disposed on the first major surface  26  of the pan portion  2 , as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, to provide the pan portion  2  with additional strength and rigidity. 
     A means  40  is provided for hingedly connecting the pan  2  portion to the storage bin  5  as shown in FIG.  4 . The means for hingedly connecting  40  permits the storage bin  5  to be selectively moved in a first direction  41  towards the pan portion  2  to a first closed position  42  and in a second direction  43  away from the pan portion  2  to a second open position  44  as shown in FIG.  5 . In a preferred embodiment a conventional hinge  40  having a first portion  45 , a second portion  46 , and a pin portion  47  is utilized. In an especially preferred embodiment a spring  48  loaded hinge is utilized as shown in FIG.  4 . The hinge  40  may be attached in a variety of ways well known to those skilled in the art as suitable for this purpose, e.g., by using bolts, screws, rivets, adhesives, or welding, however, in a preferred embodiment a plurality of sheet metal screws  49 , as shown in FIG. 4, is utilized. 
     In an especially preferred embodiment a means  50  is provided for controlling the rate at which the storage bin  5  moves from the first position  42  to the second position  44 . A wide variety of means for controlling the movement from the first position to the second position well known to those skilled in the art as suitable for this purpose may be utilized, however, in a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 9, at least one gas spring cylinder  50  having a first end  51  attached to the pan portion  2  and a second end  52  attached to the storage bin  5  is utilized. In a preferred embodiment, the second end  52  of the gas spring cylinder  50  is attached to the bin  5  via a reinforcing plate  53 , retaining screw  54 , split washer  55 , and flat washer  56  and the reinforcing plate  53  is attached to the bin  5  using a pop-rivet  28  and pop-rivet washer  67  as shown in FIG.  10 . In an especially preferred embodiment the gas spring cylinder  50  is motorized  57  and is adapted to be remotely controlled, e.g., by use of a wall switch or with a high frequency signal that is used to selectively energize the motor. 
     FIGS. 11-14 show an alternative embodiment of the invention is which the means for hingedly connecting the pan assembly to the storage bin is a scissor hinge  58 . This type of hinge permits the storage bin  5  to be moved from the first position  42  to the second position  44  while keeping the bin substantially parallel to the ceiling. This embodiment is especially preferred where fluids are stored. The scissor hinge  58  may be motorized  59  and be adapted for remote control as previously discussed. 
     The storage bin  5  may also be modified to store electrical components such as stereo equipment or VCR&#39;s. In a preferred embodiment, the storage bin  5  is used to house computer components, e.g., the central processing unit (“CPU”). In an especially preferred embodiment the interaction, communication, and control between the electrical components disposed inside the storage bin and the related components disposed outside of the bin, e.g., screen, on/off switch, disc drive, CD/ROM drive, and printers will utilize laser technology. In this application the bin may be provided with electrical transmission means to permit electricity to be transmitted to and from the electrical component housed in the storage bin. The electrical transmission means may be, e.g., an aperture or a plurality of apertures disposed in the storage bin or the pan portion to receive and act as a conduit for electrical cables and related wiring. Alternatively, the bin may be provided with electrical interlocks that are disposed and adapted to interlock and close a circuit when the bin is in the first or closed position. In a preferred embodiment, the pan portion  2  is provided with a duplex plate  60  adapted to receive and mount a duplex electrical plug  61  as shown in FIG.  15 . In another preferred alternative embodiment the duplex electrical plug  61  is mounted within the storage compartment  8  of the storage bin  5  as shown in FIG.  15 A. 
     In an especially preferred embodiment, the storage bin  5  is also provided with a means for transmitting signals between an electrical component disposed within the storage bin  5  and an electrical component disposed outside the storage bin  5 . This means for transmitting signals may be one or more portals or apertures  62  disposed in the storage bin as shown in FIG.  16 . The portals or apertures  62  may be made by molding the bin with a plurality of apertures or by removing material from the storage bin after it has been made. Alternatively, the means for transmitting signals may comprise one or more windows  63  disposed in the bin  5  comprised of a material such as glass or clear plastic that permits a signal, e.g. an infrared signal, from a stereo remote control or between a computer and a printer to pass through it. In another preferred embodiment, the entire bin is constructed from a material that will permit a signal such as an infrared signal to pass through it. 
     Alternatively, the bin may be provided with an externally mounted means, e.g., an antenna  64 , for receiving and/or transmitting signals between an electrical component disposed within the storage bin and an electrical component disposed outside the storage bin that is adapted to receive and transmit signals from a variety of angles and positions in a room as shown in FIG.  17 . In a preferred embodiment the externally mounted means for receiving and transmitting signals  64  utilizes high frequency transmissions. 
     The storage bin may be provided with a means  65  for mounting an appliance  66 , e.g., a smoke detector, a fan, or a light, and may also be provided with a means  67  for providing electricity to the appliance  66  as shown in FIG.  18 .