US 2004/0104647 A1 · Modular mobile strorage system

Abstract

A mobile storage system includes a series of carriages which are movably mounted to a series of rails supported on a surface such as a floor. Storage units, such as drawer-type file cabinets, are adapted to be engaged with each carriage, and are movable on the rails along with the carriages. Each carriage is modular in construction, and incorporates a series of mobile housing assemblies interconnected by a structural cross-brace arrangement. At least one end of the carriage includes an end panel arrangement which overlies a sidewall of an endmost one of the storage units. The end panel arrangement includes a frame defining an interior, and one or more cover members are demountably secured to the frame so as to selectively cover the interior of the frame and to conceal the sidewall of the endmost storage units. A series of retainer members are interconnected with each carriage, and interact with the rails so as to prevent upward movement of the carriage relative to the rails. The retainer members are secured to the mobile housing assemblies, and each retainer member is engaged within a groove defined by an underlying one of the rails. The retainer members further provide the dual function of mounting the storage units to the mobile housing assemblies. The carriages and the rail and floor system are of a modular construction, enabling the components of the system to be shipped in knock-down form and assembled on site, and also to be expanded or contracted after initial installation.

Claims79

Dependent claims

A method of constructing a mobile storage system on a supporting surface, comprising the steps:

providing a plurality of file cabinets, wherein each file cabinet includes a housing and a plurality of pull-out drawers movably mounted to the housing for movement between an open position and a closed position;
securing each file cabinet housing to a carriage, wherein each file cabinet housing is held by the carriage and wherein the drawers of each file cabinet are movable relative to the carriage between the open position and the closed position;
positioning a plurality of axially extending rails on the supporting surface;
and
movably mounting the carriage to the rails.

2 more elements

A system for mobilizing a series of drawer-type storage units relative to a support surface, wherein each storage unit includes a housing and a series of pull-out drawers, wherein each drawer is movable between an open position and a closed position, comprising:

a carriage adapted to support the storage unit, wherein the carriage includes a series of interconnected axially extending mobile housing members;
a series of rails adapted for placement on the support surface, wherein the rails extend in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the drawers, and wherein the carriage is movable on the rails by engagement of each mobile housing member with one of the rails;
and
a retainer arrangement interposed between the carriage and the rails, comprising one or more rail engagement members interconnected with the carriage and including a retainer section, and axially extending engagement structure defined by the rail, wherein the retainer section is movably received within the engagement structure defined by the rail for preventing upward movement of the carriage relative to the rail.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Modular mobile strorage system

Life of this patent

Modular mobile strorage system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims79