Patent Description:
In many jurisdictions, interior real estate is priced per unit of available floor space (e.g. $/m<NUM>). This pricing model encourages occupants to maximise the number of features that can comfortably be provided within a minimum area of floor space, resulting in a reduction of features and decreased comfort.

In urban residential areas, relatively high unit floor space costs incentivize the construction of smaller living units. Developers of these smaller living units still wish to offer their occupants features and accessories associated with larger living areas, in order to accommodate the occupant's lifestyle. However, providing such features and accessories is difficult because less space is available in these smaller living units.

Exemplary overhead storage units are disclosed in <CIT> and <CIT>.

There is disclosed an overhead storage unit, comprising: a guide member having a first horizontal segment mountable within an overhead storage area, a second vertical segment mountable below the overhead storage area, and a curved segment extending between the first and second segments; and a storage assembly having a plurality of storage containers each connected to at least one other storage container at common pivots, the storage containers mounted to the guide member and displaceable therealong to be raised and lowered between a stored position and an accessible position, each storage container pivoting relative to an adjacent storage container on the common pivot as the storage containers are displaced between the stored and accessible positions, the storage containers disposed within the overhead storage area and having a first orientation in the stored position, and the storage containers disposed below the overhead storage area and having a second orientation different from the first orientation in the accessible position, wherein the common pivots have guide wheels displaceable along the first horizontal segment, the second vertical segment, and the curved segment of the guide member.

There is disclosed a residential living unit, comprising: an overhead storage area; and an overhead storage unit, comprising: an elongated guide member having a first horizontal segment mounted within the overhead storage area, a second vertical segment mounted below the overhead storage area, and a curved segment extending between the first and second segments; and a storage assembly having a plurality of storage containers each connected to at least one other storage container at common pivots, the storage containers mounted to the guide member and displaceable therealong to be raised and lowered between a stored position and an accessible position, each storage container pivoting relative to an adjacent storage container on the common pivot as the storage containers are displaced between the stored and accessible positions, the storage containers disposed within the overhead storage area and having a first orientation in the stored position, and the storage containers disposed below the overhead storage area and having a second orientation different from the first orientation in the accessible position wherein the common pivots have guide wheels displaceable along the first horizontal segment, the second vertical segment, and the curved segment of the guide member.

There is disclosed a method of storing items in an overhead storage area, comprising: loading the items in storage containers being interconnected at common pivots and having an orientation beneath the overhead storage area; and raising the storage containers to be stored within the overhead storage area by upwardly displacing the storage containers along a pre-defined path, upward displacement of the storage containers changing the orientation of the storage containers to be different from the orientation when loading the storage containers, each storage container pivoting relative to an adjacent interconnected storage container about a pivot axis common to both storage containers during upward displacement thereof, wherein the pre-defined path extends along a guide member having a first horizontal segment mounted within the overhead storage area, a second vertical segment mounted below the overhead storage area, and a curved segment extending between the first and second segments; and wherein the common pivots have guide wheels displaceable along the first horizontal segment, the second vertical segment, and the curved segment of the guide member.

<FIG> illustrate an overhead storage unit <NUM> provided in a residential living unit <NUM>. In the depicted embodiment, the living unit <NUM> is a residential apartment. The living unit <NUM> has a floor 12A defining a floor space or area of the living unit <NUM>, and a door 12B. The living unit <NUM> may include other features. The living unit <NUM> can also be other types of dwellings. Some non-limiting examples of a living unit <NUM> include a flat, condo, home, room, etc. Features of the overhead storage unit <NUM> (sometimes referred to herein simply as "storage unit <NUM>") are displaceable so that one or more items to be stored within the storage unit <NUM> can be stored away when not in use, and so that access to the items can be provided. When stored away, features of the storage unit <NUM> are positioned such that they do not occupy the floor space of the floor 12A of the living unit <NUM>. This allows the valuable floor space to be liberated and used for other purposes, thereby increasing to the overall usable floor space of the living unit <NUM>. As will be described in greater detail herein, the storage unit <NUM> positions the items in an overhead storage area <NUM>.

The overhead storage area <NUM> is disposed above the floor 12A of the living unit <NUM>. More particularly, the overhead storage area <NUM> is located about the average level of the head of an occupant of the living unit <NUM>. This position of the overhead storage area <NUM> allows the occupant to move freely about the living unit <NUM> without being obstructed by the storage unit <NUM>. The configuration of the overhead storage area <NUM> can take different forms. For example, in <FIG>, the overhead storage area <NUM> is located above a closet <NUM> of the living unit <NUM>. The closet <NUM> has studs 18A which form part of the framework of the living unit <NUM>, and walls 18B which cover the studs 18A. The walls 18A and a door (not shown for the purposes of clarity) of the closet <NUM> delimit an enclosed space set apart from a remainder of the living unit <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the overhead storage area <NUM> is defined by the interconnected walls of an overhead structure <NUM> positioned on top of the closet <NUM>. In alternate embodiments, the overhead storage area <NUM> is disposed adjacent to the ceiling, in a plenum area defined within a suspended ceiling and above the living unit <NUM>. In another alternate embodiment, the overhead storage area <NUM> is defined by a lowered section of the ceiling that is continuous with the remainder of the ceiling of the living unit <NUM>. It is therefore appreciated that many configurations of the overhead storage area <NUM> are within the scope of the present disclosure, provided that the overhead storage area <NUM> is raised above the floor 12A of the living unit <NUM> such that the storage unit <NUM>, when stored within the overhead storage area <NUM>, does not disrupt the movement of the occupant about the living unit <NUM>. Features of the storage unit <NUM> are displaceable to raise the items into the overhead storage area <NUM> to store the items away, and to lower the items from the overhead storage area <NUM> to provide access to the items.

Referring to <FIG>, the storage unit <NUM> includes a storage assembly <NUM> having multiple storage containers <NUM> for storing the items, and one or more guide members <NUM> for guiding displacement of the storage containers <NUM> between a stored position and an accessible position.

The storage containers <NUM> (only one shown in <FIG>) can be any suitably shaped and sized object for holding and displacing the items. In the depicted embodiment, each storage container <NUM> includes a box-like storage structure <NUM> having an at least partially hollow interior <NUM> in which the items are stored. The storage structure <NUM> includes one or more interconnected walls <NUM>, which include at least an interconnected wall 26A and outer walls 26B. The walls <NUM> are depicted as being planar bodies, but may be non-planar in other embodiments. Similarly, the interconnected and outer walls 26A. 26B are shown as being substantially uninterrupted along their length, but in alternate embodiments, one or both of the interconnected and outer walls 26A. 26B may be interrupted along their length. Thus each storage container <NUM> is a volume bounded on three or more sides to define an open or closed enclosure for receiving and storing the items.

Referring to <FIG>, each storage container <NUM> has three walls 26A. 26B and is open along a front portion thereof to receive the items. In <FIG>, the front portion of the storage containers <NUM> has an opening that is unobstructed by any structure, such as a door or panel. In an alternate embodiment, the front of the walls <NUM> of each storage container <NUM> has a door or drawer. The interconnected wall 26A and the outer walls 26B of each storage container <NUM> are interconnected along their common edges and are perpendicular with respect to one another. Suitable structures may be provided to reinforce the walls <NUM>. For example, in <FIG> and <FIG>, the interconnected wall 26A and the outer walls 26B of each storage container <NUM> have straight frame members 27A attached to each other and to the interconnected wall 26A and the outer walls 26B, and a transverse bracing member 27B extending between some of the straight frame members 27A.

The interconnected wall 26A is the lowermost wall <NUM> of the storage structure <NUM> when each storage container <NUM> is in the stored position, as shown in <FIG>. The interconnected wall 26A has a first orientation such that it defines a bottom surface 26C of the storage container <NUM>. In the depicted embodiment, the bottom surface 26C is the lowermost surface of each storage container <NUM> when it is in the stored position. One of the outer walls 26B is the lowermost wall <NUM> of the storage structure <NUM> when the storage container <NUM> is in the accessible position, as shown in <FIG>. The outer walls 26B can contribute to supporting the weight of the items stored within the storage structure <NUM> in the accessible position. The interconnected wall 26A can also contribute to supporting the weight of the items stored within the storage container <NUM> when in the stored position. The storage container <NUM> may include hooks, brackets, ties, mounts, or other devices to secure the items therein, and to prevent their displacement during movement of the storage container <NUM>. In an embodiment, the storage container <NUM> has a door to provide access to the interior <NUM> and to the items therein. In <FIG>, the storage container <NUM> is open along a front portion thereof to provide direct access to the interior <NUM> in the accessible position.

The walls <NUM> of the storage container <NUM> may be interconnected so as to define a hermetically-sealed interior <NUM>. The sealed interior <NUM> prevents liquids and debris from exiting the storage container <NUM> during displacement thereof. Similarly, the storage container <NUM> may be made from any suitable material to confer impermeability, amongst other desired properties. The storage container <NUM> may be used to store any type of item.

Referring to <FIG>, each storage container <NUM> is mounted to the one or more guide members <NUM>. Each guide member <NUM> extends along a length to guide the displacement of the storage containers <NUM> along said length. More particularly, each guide member <NUM> has a first horizontal segment <NUM> mounted within the overhead storage area <NUM>. In the depicted embodiment, the first segment <NUM> is mounted to an upper extremity of the closet <NUM> at a lower end of the overhead storage area <NUM>. Each guide member <NUM> also has a second vertical segment <NUM> mounted below the overhead storage area <NUM>. In the depicted embodiment, the second segment <NUM> is mounted to a lower extremity of the closet <NUM>, such as to one of the walls 18B of the closet <NUM>. The second segment <NUM> extends downwardly from the overhead storage area <NUM> to about the level of the floor 12A. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, each guide member <NUM> also has a curved segment <NUM> extending between the first and second segments <NUM>,<NUM>. In the depicted embodiment, the curved segment <NUM> is downwardly curved to guide displacement of the storage containers <NUM> from the raised stored position to the lowered accessible position. Each segment <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> defines a portion of a pre-defined displacement path along which the storage containers <NUM> are guided when being displaced. The storage containers <NUM> are displaceable along each of the first, second and curved segments <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>, along a direction of displacement or axis defined by the first, second and curved segments <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>. The first, second, and curved segments <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> may be fixedly mounted to the studs 18A of the closet <NUM>. In an alternate embodiment, the segments <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> are not mounted directly to a structure, but are free standing.

It will be appreciated that each guide member <NUM> can take any suitable form to accomplish the above-described functionality. For example, in the depicted embodiment, each guide member <NUM> includes a guide rail <NUM>. <FIG> show two laterally-spaced apart guide rails <NUM> mounted to opposed lateral sides or studs 18A of the closet <NUM>. The storage containers <NUM> have rotatable guide bodies <NUM>, which according to the invention are guide wheels 28A, mounted to an underside or rear of the storage containers <NUM>. Each guide wheel 28A engages a corresponding one of the guide rails <NUM> to be displaced along the guide rail <NUM>. The cooperation of the guide wheels 28A with the guide rails <NUM> allows the storage containers <NUM> to be displaced.

In an embodiment not according to the invention, each guide member <NUM> includes an elongated rack and the storage containers <NUM> have a rotatable guide body that includes a gear, such as a pinion. Each guide body pinion engages a corresponding one of the racks to be displaced therealong. In an embodiment, each guide member <NUM> includes a groove in a surface of the closet <NUM>, for example, and the storage containers <NUM> have a rotatable guide body that includes a wheel. Each guide body wheel engages a corresponding one of the grooves to be displaced therealong. In an embodiment not according to the invention, each guide member <NUM> includes a gliding surface, and the storage containers <NUM> have one or more skis that slide along the gliding surface. In an embodiment not according to the invention, each guide member <NUM> is an telescopic cylinder. In another embodiment not according to the invention, each guide member <NUM> includes a linear actuator. In another embodiment not according to the invention, each guide member <NUM> includes a pneumatic piston. Instead of multiple guide members <NUM>, the storage containers <NUM> may be displaceable along only one guide member <NUM>.

The displacement of the storage containers <NUM> along the guide member <NUM> changes the orientation of the storage containers <NUM>. The storage containers <NUM> are displaceable to be raised to a stored position, and lowered to an accessible position.

In the stored position, and as shown in <FIG>, the storage containers <NUM> and the items are stored away. The storage containers <NUM> have a first orientation, which is vertical or facing upward. The interconnected walls 26A have a first orientation. In the depicted embodiment, the interconnected walls 26A lie horizontally within the overhead storage area <NUM> in the stored position. The storage container <NUM> and the items are therefore raised above the floor 12A of the living unit <NUM> to be stored away, thereby freeing up the floor space of the living unit <NUM>. In the depicted embodiment, the storage containers <NUM> are on their "backs", such that the interconnected walls 26A of the storage containers <NUM> have a horizontal orientation and the outer walls 26B have an upright orientation. The storage containers <NUM> are shown resting on, and supported by, the first horizontal segment <NUM> of the guide members <NUM>.

In the depicted embodiment, the overhead storage area <NUM> is concealed from view by the outer wall 26B of the forward-most storage container <NUM> when it is in the stored position, as shown in <FIG>. In an alternate embodiment, a part of the forward- most storage container <NUM> protrudes out of the overhead storage area <NUM> when the storage container <NUM> is in the stored position. Each storage container <NUM> is fully accessible in the accessible position, as shown in <FIG>. The change in orientation experienced by the outer walls 26B when pivoting to the accessible position allows the storage containers <NUM> to remain free of a door or other similar barrier that controls access to the storage container interior <NUM>. Instead, access to the storage container interior <NUM> is provided by the simple change in orientation experienced by the outer walls 26B. The occupant is thus not required to open or close a door to hide/contain the items in the storage containers <NUM> or to obtain access thereto. The occupant is also not required to remember to close a door when placing the items in the storage containers <NUM> because the changing orientation of the outer walls 26B as they pivot toward the stored position will function to maintain the items within the storage container interiors <NUM>.

In the accessible position, and as shown in <FIG>, the storage containers <NUM> and the items are accessible to the occupant. The storage containers <NUM> and/or the interconnected walls 26A have a second orientation that is different from the first orientation shown in <FIG>. In the depicted embodiment, the second orientation is offset from the first orientation by about <NUM>°. The interconnected walls 26A are disposed upright below the overhead storage area <NUM> so that the occupant can access the items in the storage containers <NUM>. The storage containers <NUM> and the items are therefore suspended in proximity to the floor 12A of the living unit <NUM>. In the depicted embodiment, the interconnected walls 26A of the storage containers <NUM> have an upright orientation and the outer walls 26B have a horizontal orientation. The storage containers <NUM> are engaged with the second vertical segment <NUM> of the guide members <NUM>. The storage containers <NUM> have a horizontal orientation.

It is thus appreciated that the interconnected and outer walls 26A. 26B, and indeed other walls <NUM> of the storage containers <NUM>, undergo a change in orientation when the storage containers <NUM> are displaced between the stored and accessible positions. This change in the orientation of the storage containers <NUM> may be better appreciated by considering the dimensions of each storage structure <NUM> as it is displaced between the stored and accessible positions. Each storage structure <NUM> has a height, a length, and a width. In the stored position, the width of each storage structure <NUM> is measured in a horizontal plane and the height is measured along the outer walls 26B in a vertical plane. In the accessible position, the width of each storage structure <NUM> is measured in a horizontal plane and the height is measured along the interconnected wall 26A in a vertical plane.

This change in the orientation of the storage containers <NUM> between the stored and accessible positions allows the storage containers <NUM> to occupy a minimum volume of the overhead storage area <NUM> without compromising the interior <NUM> storage space for the items. More particularly, the storage containers <NUM> in the stored position have a substantially upright orientation, and are stacked next to one another in a direction parallel to the floor 12A. This may allow for a smaller overhead storage area <NUM> to be used, which may be particularly desirable in living units <NUM> which have low ceilings. Similarly, the horizontal orientation of the storage containers <NUM> in the accessible position allows full access to their interiors <NUM> by the occupant, at a lowered position that is comfortable for the occupant to load and unload the items from the storage containers <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the storage containers <NUM> are each connected together to be raised and lowered together along the guide member <NUM>. Each storage container <NUM> is connected to one or more of the other storage containers <NUM>. This interconnection of the storage containers <NUM> may take different forms. For example, referring to <FIG>, the storage unit <NUM> has three storage containers <NUM>: an inner storage container 20A and two outer storage containers 20B. The inner storage container 20A is connected to each of the outer storage containers 20B, and each of the outer storage containers 20B is connected to the inner storage container 20A. The outer storage containers 20B are not directly connected to each other.

The storage containers <NUM> are joined or connected at common pivots <NUM>. Each pivot <NUM> is shared by the adjacent and connected storage containers <NUM>, and defines a pivot axis <NUM> about which each of the connected storage containers <NUM> pivots or rotates. In <FIG>, each of the outer storage containers 20B is joined to the inner storage container 20A with a common pivot <NUM>. In <FIG>, the storage assembly <NUM> includes two common pivots <NUM>. The common pivots <NUM> and the pivot axes <NUM> move with the storage containers <NUM> as they are displaced between the stored and accessible positions. Other brackets, fasteners, joints or connectors may also connect two adjacent storage containers <NUM>, such as additional bracing between adjacent storage containers <NUM>.

While being displaced between the stored and accessible positions, each storage container <NUM> pivots relative to the adjacent connected storage container <NUM> on the common pivot <NUM> between the two storage containers <NUM> and about the common or shared pivot axis <NUM>. By relatively pivoting, it is understood that each storage container <NUM> pivots about the common pivot axis <NUM> away from, or toward, the adjacent connected storage container <NUM>. The distance separating the outer walls 26B of the adjacent and connected storage containers <NUM> therefore increases or decreases as a result of the relative pivoting motion. For example, and as shown in <FIG>, as the inner storage container 20A is displaced from the stored position toward the accessible position, it pivots relative to both of the outer storage containers 20B on the pivots <NUM> and about the pivot axes <NUM> that it shares with each of the outer storage containers 20B. Similarly, and referring to <FIG>, as the topmost outer storage container 20B is displaced from the stored position toward the accessible position, it pivots relative to the inner storage container 20A on the pivot <NUM> and about the pivot axis <NUM> that it shares with the inner storage container 20A. The storage containers <NUM> therefore articulate relative to each other as they are displaced between the stored and accessible positions.

Each storage container <NUM> is attached to one or more other storage containers <NUM>. As the storage containers <NUM> are raised from the accessible position to the stored position (i.e. from the configuration shown in <FIG> to that shown in <FIG>), each of the storage containers <NUM> rotates from a horizontal to an upright position. As the storage containers <NUM> are lowered from the stored position to the accessible position (i.e. from the configuration shown in <FIG> to that shown in <FIG>), each of the storage containers <NUM> rotates from an upright to a horizontal position.

The overhead storage unit <NUM> thus has interconnected storage containers <NUM> which pivot relative to one another as they are raised or lowered together into the overhead storage area <NUM>, and whose orientations change as they are moved. The interconnected storage containers <NUM> articulate relative to one another between a horizontal orientation and an upright orientation as they are raised into the overhead storage area <NUM>.

Having interconnected and articulating storage containers <NUM> reduces the distance that the storage containers <NUM> extend outwardly from the closet <NUM> and overhead storage area <NUM> as they are raised into the overhead storage area <NUM> and descended out of it. This is better shown in <FIG>. In <FIG>, the upper image shows a single overhead storage container SC having a storage volume and occupying an area of the overhead storage area <NUM>. The lower image shows three interconnected and articulating storage containers <NUM> which collectively have the same storage volume and occupy the same area of the overhead storage area <NUM> as the overhead storage container SC. Referring to the upper image, as the storage container SC is lowered from the overhead storage area <NUM>, and moves from position <NUM> , to position <NUM> and then to position <NUM>, one of its walls will extend outwardly from the closet <NUM> a maximum distance D1 from a wall of the closet <NUM>. Referring to the lower image, as the storage containers <NUM> are lowered from the overhead storage area <NUM>, and move from position <NUM> to position <NUM>, one the outer walls 26B of each storage container <NUM> will extend outwardly from the closet <NUM> a maximum distance D2 from a wall of the closet <NUM>. As can be seen, the distance D2 is less than the distance D1. Thus, the interconnected and articulating storage containers <NUM> extend or "jut" out less than a comparable one- compartment storage unit having the same storage volume and occupying the same area of the overhead storage area <NUM>. The moment arm for the interconnected and articulating storage containers <NUM>, measured from the motor or drive mechanism, is also shorter than it is for the overhead storage container SC, such that the motor or drive mechanism will need less energy to raise the interconnected and articulating storage containers <NUM> over the curved segment <NUM> of the guide member <NUM>.

Since the interconnected and articulating storage containers <NUM> are separate from each other, each one of them can be lifted separately over the curved segment <NUM> of the guide member <NUM>, which may require less energy than lifting the entire overhead storage container SC. Since the motor or drive mechanism is often sized based on the weight to lift over the curved segment <NUM>, this may allow the interconnected and articulating storage containers <NUM> to support items having multiples of the weight of the items supported by the single overhead storage container SC. The interconnected and articulating storage containers <NUM> may also require less vertical clearance to enter the overhead storage area <NUM> when being raised compared to when the single overhead storage container SC is raised into the overhead storage area <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the curved segment <NUM> of each guide member <NUM> helps to change the orientation of at least the interconnected walls 26A. The curved segment <NUM> extends between the horizontal first segment <NUM> and the vertical second segment <NUM>. From the stored position in which the interconnected walls 26A have the first orientation, they and the storage containers <NUM> are first displaced along the first segment <NUM> in a horizontal plane and then downwardly over the curved segment <NUM>. The curved segment <NUM> changes the orientation of the interconnected walls 26A to the second orientation as it is being displaced such that the interconnected walls 26A are upright after having been displaced past the curved segment <NUM> and along the vertical second segment <NUM>. The second orientation of the interconnected walls 26A is therefore offset from the first orientation by about <NUM>°.

In the depicted embodiment, the rotatable guide bodies <NUM> of the storage container <NUM> include leading guide bodies 28B displaceable along corresponding guide members <NUM>. The leading guide bodies 28B, shown in the depicted embodiment as leading guide wheels, engage two laterally-spaced apart guide members <NUM> so as to form a pair of leading guide bodies 28B. The leading guide bodies 28B are disposed adjacent to an upper end of the curved segment <NUM> of each guide member <NUM> when the storage containers <NUM> are in the stored position. By positioning the leading guide bodies 28B in proximity to the upper end of the curved segment <NUM>, the effort required to lower the storage containers <NUM> from the stored position is reduced. Indeed, the close proximity of the leading guide bodies 28B to the upper end of the curved segment <NUM> means that the leading outer storage container 20B only has to travel a relatively short distance along the first segment <NUM> before the leading guide bodies 28B enter the curved segment <NUM>, at which point gravity acting on the storage containers <NUM> will assist in lowering them from the stored position. This reduced effort is particularly useful if the storage containers <NUM> are manually displaced, as discussed in greater detail below.

The proximity of the leading guide bodies 28B to the upper end of the downwardly curved segment <NUM> can vary, depending on the desired effort required to lower the storage container <NUM>, amongst other factors. For example, in the depicted embodiment, the leading guide bodies 28B have a default location within a downwardly curved portion of the curved segment <NUM> when the storage containers <NUM> are in the stored position. This positioning of the leading guide bodies 28B helps to bias the storage containers <NUM> downward, and thus helps to reduce the effort required to lower the storage containers <NUM>. In such a configuration, tension may be applied to the storage containers <NUM> to hold them back and reduce the likelihood of it accidentally lowering. This tension can be provided by a cable, spring, or other mechanical device such as idling arms which remove slack in cables, or a pneumatic cylinder.

In an alternate embodiment, the leading guide bodies 28B are disposed at the onset of the downwardly curved portion of the curved segment <NUM> when the storage containers <NUM> are in the stored position. This positioning of the leading guide bodies 28B also helps to bias the storage containers <NUM> downward, and thus helps to reduce the effort required to lower the storage containers <NUM>. In another alternate embodiment, the leading guide bodies 28B are disposed on the first segment <NUM> just before the junction of the first segment <NUM> and the curved segment <NUM>. This positioning of the leading guide bodies 28B still facilitates lowering the storage containers <NUM>, but more effort may be required than in the configuration where the leading guide bodies 28B are within the downwardly curved portion. Although the curved segment <NUM> has two downwardly curved portions, in an alternate embodiment, the curved segment <NUM> has only one downwardly curved portion along which the leading guide bodies 28B are displaced.

Referring to <FIG>, the storage assembly <NUM> includes one or more brackets <NUM> which interconnect two adjacent storage containers <NUM>. Each bracket <NUM> has a first arm 46A and a second arm 46B. The first arm 46A is mounted to one of the storage containers <NUM>, such as to a rear surface of the interconnecting wall 26A of one of the storage containers <NUM>. The second arm 46B is mounted to an adjacent storage container <NUM>, such as to a rear surface of the interconnecting wall 26A of the adjacent and connected storage container <NUM>. The first and second arms 46A. 46B are mounted to one of the common pivots <NUM>. The first and second arms 46A. 46B are rotatable about the pivot axis <NUM> defined by the common pivot <NUM>, thereby allowing the connected and adjacent storage containers <NUM> to also pivot about the common pivot axis <NUM>. The storage containers <NUM> thus rotate or articulate about a common pivot <NUM> that is part of, or cooperates with, a bracket <NUM> that joins one storage container <NUM> to an adjacent storage container <NUM>. The bracket <NUM> may take any suitable form, and interface in any suitable way with the common pivot <NUM>, to achieve the above-described functionality. For example, the first and second arms 46A. 46B may have a common housing which is mounted on bearings supported by a pivot rod 42A which defines the pivot axis <NUM>. The common pivots <NUM> or brackets <NUM> also have guide wheels 28A displaceable along the first, second, and curved segments <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> of the guide member <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, a cable 144A is attached to one or more of the storage containers <NUM> or brackets <NUM> thereof. The cable 144A may be attached to other non-pivoting brackets <NUM> mounted to the storage containers <NUM> to guide their displacement. The cable 144A may be attached to a lowermost or uppermost storage container <NUM> or its bracket <NUM>,<NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the displacement of the storage containers <NUM> along the guide member <NUM> may be performed manually by the occupant, or with the assistance of motive power. Referring to <FIG>, the storage unit <NUM> includes a motive power source. More particularly, the storage unit <NUM> has a motor assembly <NUM>. The motor assembly <NUM> provides motive power to the storage containers <NUM> to displace them between the stored and accessible positions. In the depicted embodiment, and to optimise available space, the motor assembly <NUM> is mounted above the closet <NUM> in the overhead storage area <NUM>. Acoustic tiles may be mounted below the motor assembly <NUM>, and may be removed to service the motor assembly <NUM> from below. An acoustic or other concealing panel may be mounted in front of the motor assembly <NUM>, which is positioned vertically between a top of the closet <NUM> and the interconnected walls 26A of the storage containers <NUM>. The acoustic or other concealing panel may be removed to service the motor assembly <NUM> from the front. The motor assembly <NUM> includes a motor <NUM>. Suitable brackets or mountings can be provided to secure the motor <NUM> in place. The motor <NUM> drivingly engages one or more displacement members, such as the cable 144A. The displacement members 144A are mounted to one or more of the storage containers <NUM> to displace them between the stored and accessible positions. The motor <NUM> may be controlled manually with a switch, or from a distance with a remote in communication with the motor <NUM> to control actuation thereof. The motor <NUM> may have a gearbox. The motor <NUM> may have a crank to be manually operated.

Referring to <FIG>, the displacement members 144A include motor cables 144A. The motor cables 144A are wound about a pulley <NUM> shown in <FIG>, such that rotation of the pulley <NUM> causes the motor cables 144A to spool and unspool. An end of each motor cable 144A is attached to one or more of the storage containers <NUM> so that the spooling and unspooling of the motor cables 144A will cause the storage containers <NUM> to displace.

The displacement of the storage containers <NUM> with the motor assembly <NUM> occurs as follows. To lower the storage containers <NUM> from the stored position where they have the first orientation, the motor <NUM> performs a controlled unspool of the motor cables 144A by rotating the pulley <NUM> to unwind the motor cables 144A. This provides slack in the motor cables 144A allowing the storage containers <NUM> to descend based on gravity. To raise the storage containers <NUM> from the accessible position, the motor <NUM> draws in the motor cables 144A by rotating to spool them about the pulley <NUM>. This removes slack from the motor cables 144A and applies tension thereto, causing the storage containers <NUM> to be raised along the guide member <NUM>.

Other techniques are within the scope of the present disclosure for displacing the storage containers <NUM>. In an alternate embodiment, the motive power is supplied by any other suitable type of drive, including, but not limited to, a crank with a manual mechanism and/or a spring balance. In an embodiment, the storage unit <NUM> includes a sensor to monitor displacement of the storage containers <NUM>, and to prevent the storage containers <NUM> from being lowered too far. Similarly, the storage unit <NUM> may include a stop member to limit the downward displacement of the storage containers <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, there is also disclosed a method of storing items in the overhead storage area <NUM>. The method includes loading the items in the storage containers <NUM> having an orientation beneath the overhead storage area <NUM>. The method includes raising the storage containers <NUM> to be stored within the overhead storage area <NUM> by upwardly displacing the storage containers <NUM> along a pre-defined path. The upward displacement of the storage containers <NUM> changes their orientation to be different from their orientation when loading the storage containers <NUM>. Each storage container <NUM> pivots relative to an adjacent interconnected storage container <NUM> about a pivot axis <NUM> common to both storage containers <NUM> during upward displacement thereof.

In light of the preceding, it can be appreciated that the storage unit <NUM> has storage containers <NUM> that are storable in an overhead position, which can be lowered and raised, and whose movements transforms the orientation of the storage containers <NUM> between the stored and accessible positions. When used in a relatively small living unit <NUM>, the storage unit <NUM> helps to minimise the space occupied by items that need to be stored. In the accessible position, the storage containers <NUM> can be lowered to a convenient height to facilitate loading and unloading, thereby eliminating the necessity and inconvenience of a step ladder and potential injuries that may result should the occupant fall off the step ladder. By facilitating the storage and easy retrieval of items, the storage unit <NUM> helps to increase the available living space of the relatively small living unit <NUM>. The storage unit <NUM> may also allow the occupant to store heavy items overhead that may otherwise be difficult or impossible to store overhead using only a step ladder.

Claim 1:
An overhead storage unit, comprising:
a guide member (<NUM>) having a first horizontal segment (<NUM>) mountable within an overhead storage area (<NUM>), a second vertical segment (<NUM>) mountable below the overhead storage area (<NUM>), and a curved segment (<NUM>) extending between the first and second segments (<NUM>, <NUM>); and
a storage assembly (<NUM>) having a plurality of storage containers (<NUM>) each connected to at least one other storage container at common pivots (<NUM>), the storage containers mounted to the guide member and displaceable therealong to be raised and lowered between a stored position and an accessible position, each storage container (<NUM>) pivoting relative to an adjacent storage container on the common pivot (<NUM>) as the storage containers are displaced between the stored and accessible positions, the storage containers disposed within the overhead storage area (<NUM>) and having a first orientation in the stored position, and the storage containers disposed below the overhead storage area (<NUM>) and having a second orientation different from the first orientation in the accessible position;
characterized in that the common pivots have guide wheels (28A) displaceable along the first horizontal segment (<NUM>), the second vertical segment (<NUM>), and the curved segment of the guide member (<NUM>).