Pivotable overhead storage unit

#The application relates generally to the storage of items and, more particularly, to overhead storage units.

#In many jurisdictions, interior real estate is priced per unit of available floor space (e.g. $/ft2). 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 increased 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.

#Reference is now made to the accompanying figures in which:

#FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a residential living unit having an overhead storage unit, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

#FIG. 1B is another perspective view of the overhead storage unit of FIG. 1A;

#FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an embodiment of an overhead storage unit 10 provided in a residential living unit 12. In the depicted embodiment, the living unit 12 is a residential apartment, but it will be appreciated that the living unit 12 can also be other types of dwellings. Some non-limiting examples of a living unit 12 include a flat, condo, home, room, etc. Features of the overhead storage unit 10 (sometimes referred to herein simply as “storage unit 10”) are displaceable so that one or more items 11 to be stored within the storage unit 10 can be stored away when not in use, and so that access to the items 11 can be provided. When stored away, features of the storage unit 10 are positioned such that they do not occupy the floor space of the living unit 12. This allows the valuable floor space to be liberated and used for other purposes, thereby contributing to the overall available floor space of the living unit 12. As will be described in greater detail herein, the storage unit 10 positions the items 11 in an overhead storage area 16.

#The overhead storage area 16 is disposed above the floor of the living unit 12. More particularly, the overhead storage area 16 is located about the average level of the head of an occupant of the living unit 12. This position of the overhead storage unit 16 allows the occupant to move freely about the living unit 12 without being obstructed by the storage unit 10. The configuration of the overhead storage area 16 can take different forms. For example, in the depicted embodiment, the overhead storage area 16 is located above a closet 18 of the living unit 12. The overhead storage area 16 is defined by the interconnected walls of an overhead structure 19 positioned on top of the closet 18. In alternate embodiments, the overhead storage area 16 is disposed adjacent to the ceiling, in a plenum area defined within a suspended ceiling and above the living unit 12. In another alternate embodiment, the overhead storage area 16 is defined by a lowered section of the ceiling that is continuous with the remainder of the ceiling of the living unit 12. It is therefore appreciated that many configurations of the overhead storage area 16 are within the scope of the present disclosure, provided that the overhead storage area 16 is raised above the floor of the living unit 12 such that the storage unit 10, when stored within the overhead storage area 16, does not disrupt the movement of the occupant about the living unit 12. Features of the storage unit 10 are displaceable to raise the items 11 into the overhead storage area 16 to store the items 11 away, and to lower the items 11 from the overhead storage area 16 to provide access to the items 11.

#Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the storage unit 10 includes a displaceable storage container 20 for storing the items 11, and one or more guide members 13 for guiding displacement of the storage container 20 between a stored position and an accessible position.