Storage system and method
AssigneeThomas J. Burke
InventorsThomas J. Burke, Ross Marrone, John Skurzynski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A storage system comprising a plurality of shelf units movable together through a circuit attached to and moved by a flexible drive such as a chain or belt, while being guided and stabilized in orientation by a separate guide track which track followers, retained by each shelf unit, move to maintain a selected orientation of the shelves within a system support or enclosure. Each shelf unit is removable by the user from engagement of the drive and from the system enclosure permitting replacement of the shelves within the storage system without system disassembly.
Claims14
A storage system, comprising:
- an enclosure including a front portion;
- one or more shelves movable in 2 axes within said enclosure, one of said 2 axes being a vertical axis, said enclosure and having a rear portion, two opposing side portions separated by said rear portion, and a substantially planar member between at least 2 of said portions;
- a continuous suspension having 2 members each retained within said enclosure, and connected to a corresponding one of said side portions, said continuous suspension defining a circuit of motion within said enclosure and retaining said shelf therealong;
- and
- a stabilizing guide engaging said enclosure and said shelf behind said rear shelf portion as viewed from said front portion and between said two opposing side portions and spaced away from said continuous suspension members, wherein
- said stabilizing guide comprises a track interrupted by apertures therealong, and disposed in a guide circuit substantially parallel to said circuit of motion,
- each said shelf includes an upper and a lower connecting member thereon received into said stabilizing guide behind said shelf rear portion and between said two opposing side portions, as viewed from said front portion, and in a non-rotating relationship with said shelf rear portion, and is removable from said stabilizing guide via said aperture, and wherein
- said stabilizing guide together with said upper and said lower connecting members provide a selected orientation of said shelf within said enclosure over said circuit of motion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.