Hidden track file storage system
OwnerRichard L. Sarnoinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for moving laterally accessible file storage or similar shelving units, from a stowed densely packed lateral array of such units, longitudinally to a full access position. The apparatus includes a wheeled carriage which travels over a flat supporting track laid in the path of the carriage as the unit is rolled longitudinally. The flexible track has a leveling feature which can accommodate uneven or varying level base floor surfaces. The flexible track is picked up by return movement of the carriage, leaving no exposed portion of the apparatus when the unit is stowed.
Claims18
An apparatus for supporting and moving a generally prismatic storage unit over a base surface from a stowed position to a horizontally displaced access position, said apparatus comprising:
- a carriage adapted to support a storage unit for movement along a linear path between the stowed and access positions, said carriage including pairs of axially spaced forward and rear support wheels;
- a support plate overlying the base surface and providing a first planar support surface for said carriage support wheels in the stowed position;
- a flexible track providing support for said carriage in the access position;
- said track having one end attached to a forward end of said support plate, said track entrained around a forward end of said carriage in the stowed position;
- a track guide on the forward end of the carriage supporting the track for movement around said forward end to lay the track on the base surface in the path of carriage movement toward the access position and to pick up the track from the path of carriage movement toward the stowed position;
- and,
- said track providing a second planar support surface for said carriage support wheels in the access position, said first and second support surfaces being coplanar.
An apparatus for supporting and moving individual storage units over a base surface from a stowed densely packed lateral array of such units to a longitudinal access position in which an individual unit is horizontally displaced from the stowed position, said apparatus comprising:
- a carriage adapted to support a storage unit for movement along a linear path between the stowed and access positions, said carriage including forward and rear support wheels;
- a support plate overlying the base surface and providing a first planar support surface for the carriage support wheels in the stowed position;
- a flexible track providing support for said carriage in the access position, said track anchored at one end to a forward end of said support plate;
- means for entraining and guiding said track for movement around a forward end of the carriage to lay the track on the base surface in the path of carriage movement toward the access position and to pick up the track from the path of carriage movement toward the stowed position;
- and,
- said track defining a second planar support surface, contiguous with said first support surface, for said carriage support wheels in the access position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.