Attic-mounted storage compartment and method therefor

#1. Field of Invention

#This invention relates generally to storage compartments and, more specifically, to a storage compartment mountable in an attic and adapted to permit a user to conveniently raise and lower stored items between the ground below the storage compartment and the storage compartment.

#2. Background of the Invention

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the attic-mounted storage compartment of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is a side, cut-away view of the attic-mounted storage compartment of FIG. 1.

#FIG. 3 is an end, cut-away view of the attic-mounted storage compartment of FIG. 1.

#Referring first to FIGS. 1-3 and 6-7, reference number 10 refers generally to an embodiment of an attic-mounted storage compartment (hereinafter “compartment 10”) of the present invention. The compartment 10 generally comprises a storage housing 12, in which items to be stored will be housed. The storage housing 12 has an opening 14, through which storage items are inserted. The housing may be made of any desired material, though a one-piece molded plastic construction will be preferred—so as to impart durability without making the housing unduly heavy.

#The opening 14 is preferably sized so that it is the width of standard ceiling joists 16. These are typically 1.5 inches wide and spaced 24 inches apart on center, though some have a different spacing, such as 16 inches on center. (Because the opening 14 should be fitted between the joists 16 as shown by way of example in FIG. 1, the external width of the opening 14 should be approximately 22.5 inches.) Accordingly, the opening 14 may be provided in a variety of widths, to accommodate the particular joist width present where installation is to take place. It may be possible to provide an opening 14 having a width greater than that of neighboring joists 16. With such a sizing, however, it will be necessary to appropriately support the ceiling structure as portions of the joists 16 are removed to make room for the opening 14, and it can be seen that such an installation will generally be less-convenient and thus less preferred. The height of the housing 12 may be any size that will fit within the available attic space, though a height of about three feet will be preferred for most applications.

#The housing 12 should be coupled to the joists 16 in a secure manner. Such coupling is preferably accomplished through the insertion of a plurality of wood screws or bolts 18 through each of the housing 12 and joists 16. Where heavier storage items may be positioned within the housing 12, it may be desired to provide supplement bracing (not shown).