Storage system

#The present invention relates to storage and organizational systems and devices, and more particularly to storage and organizational systems and devices for storing home and garden tools or the like.

#In modern American suburbia, the garage has become the storage receptacle for a myriad of items that are necessary for work and recreation. The need for this storage space has become so acute that many suburban dwellings contain a 3-car garage even though the occupants own only two vehicles. Although, in many instances a recreational vehicle or boat occupies the third bay; in most cases, that extra space is utilized for storage and as a work area. Items such as sports equipment, gardening implements, and work shop related items, e.g., screwdrivers, hammers, wrenches, hand and power tools, and other implements for home, vehicle, or garden repair and maintenance are generally stored in the garage.

#There are a number of systems for storing relatively small and lightweight articles known in the art. For example, pegboard or perforated panel systems are known for hanging articles in a vertical or horizontal orientation using pegboard hooks that are removably attached to a perforated panel. Shelving may also be provided on pegboards using the same or similar structures for securing and supporting the shelf to the pegboard. Prior art perforated panel systems (known as “pegboards”) typically comprise a pressed composite board material with regularly spaced circular perforations into which hooks may be inserted for the storage or display of tools, instruments, and other articles. Changing the locations of the stored articles requires that the hooks or shelf-supports be removed completely from their respective supporting holes in the pegboard, and then reinserted into other holes. After a period of use, the holes tend to become worn and enlarged, and eventually become unable to retain the hooks. Also, the hooks are easily misplaced or lost. These pegboard systems are also aesthetically unattractive, especially after many years of use.

#These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully disclosed in, or rendered obvious by, the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, which are to be considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers refer to like parts and further wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a storage system formed in accordance with the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a further embodiment of the storage system shown in FIG. 1;

#This description of preferred embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description of this invention. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features of the invention may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. In the description, relative terms such as “horizontal,” “vertical,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing figure under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and normally are not intended to require a particular orientation. Terms including “inwardly” versus “outwardly,” “longitudinal” versus “lateral” and the like are to be interpreted relative to one another or relative to an axis of elongation, or an axis or center of rotation, as appropriate. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. The term “operatively connected” is such an attachment, coupling or connection that allows the pertinent structures to operate as intended by virtue of that relationship. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described, suggested, or rendered obvious by the written description or drawings for performing the recited function, including not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures.

#Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a new and improved storage and organization system 5 is provided comprising a perforated panel 8, storage cabinets 10, bench 12, drawers 13, and shelves 15. Storage system 5 is modular in construction such that various combinations of shelves, drawers, and cabinets may be arranged as needed or dictated by its position within a building, e.g., a residential garage, tool shed, or basement area. Storage cabinets 10, bench 12, drawers 13, and shelves 15 are typically formed of common furniture construction materials, e.g., various metals, woods, or polymers. Perforated panel 8 comprises a planer sheet of material, preferably formed of metal, and having a plurality of regularly shaped perforations 9, disposed in a regular pattern throughout the panel. Perforations 9 are each preferably formed in perforated panel 8 so as to be defined by a circumferential edge, often forming a rectangular or square opening in panel 8. Perforated panel 8 is typically about one quarter to one half of an inch thick, and in modules about two to three feet wide. Of course, it will be understood that perforated panel 8 may have various lengths and widths, depending upon the size of storage system 5. Fixtures (not shown) for providing electric, gas, or pneumatic outlets may also be positioned anywhere within storage system 5.

#Referring to FIGS. 1-4, perforated panel 8 is arranged above bench 12 so that a plurality of item holders 20 may be positioned on the front surface of perforated panel 8. For convenience, in this specification, the term “item holder” will be used to represent a type of fixture that is attachable to perforated panel 8 by insertion of an element into at least one of perforations 9 and used to hold various implements, i.e., hand tools, garden tools, instruments, wires, cables, display objects (such as packages, blister display packs, vacuum display packs, loose hardware or household items, grocery items, department or variety store items, and shelves, pictures, wire frames, and the like. In one preferred embodiment, item holder 20 comprises a shelf 26 held to perforated panel 8, via shelf-brackets 30.