Adjustable rack and method of making and using the same

#The present invention relates generally to storage racks and, more particularly, to adjustable storage racks.

#Storage racks are commonly used in various industries to support and/or store a variety of devices in a manner that efficiently utilizes the available storage space. However, many conventional storage racks have a fixed size, which renders it impossible or impractical to reconfigure the storage rack to accommodate objects having different sizes. Accordingly, conventional fixed-size storage racks may be unsuitable for storing objects that have different sizes. Additionally, it may be cost-inefficient for consumers to buy a variety of different fixed-size storage racks to accommodate different sized devices.

#Additionally, conventional storage racks, if adjustable, may sacrifice rigidity and durability to achieve adjustability. Accordingly, conventional adjustable storage racks may not be configured to satisfy seismic standards (i.e., conventional adjustable storage racks may not be suitable for use in geographic regions that are prone to earthquakes). Thus, conventional adjustable storage racks may be particularly unsuitable for storing hazardous materials, such as valve regulated or flooded lead acid batteries, which are prone to fall and/or spill during a seismic event.

#These and other features and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the following drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view an adjustable storage rack according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

#FIGS. 2A-2C are a perspective view, a side view, and an exploded perspective view, respectively, of a stanchion adjustment assembly slidably coupling a stanchion to a side rail according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1;

#Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to various adjustable storage racks and methods of making and using the same. The storage racks of the present disclosure may be adjusted into various sizes and configurations to accommodate a variety of differently sized devices (e.g., batteries, such as flooded and/or valve regulated lead acid batteries). In one embodiment in which the adjustable storage rack of the present disclosure is used to support batteries, the batteries may be used for any suitable purposes, such as, for instance, as backup power supply for data communication centers, telecommunication equipment, broadband equipment, and/or computer equipment.

#With reference now to FIG. 1, an adjustable storage rack 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of front and rear stanchions 101, 102, respectively, each of the front stanchions 101 connected to its respective rear stanchion 102 through a cross member 70. The adjustable storage rack 100 also includes a plurality of front and rear side rails 103, 104, respectively, extending between and interconnecting the front and rear stanchions 101, 102, respectively. The adjustable storage rack 100 further includes a plurality of end rails 105. In the illustrated embodiment, the end rails 105 extend between and interconnect respective pairs of front and rear side rails 103, 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the adjustable storage rack 100 includes two end rails 105 extending between each pair of front and rear side rails 103, 104, although in one or more alternate embodiments, the adjustable storage rack 100 may include any other suitable number of end rails 105 for each pair of front and rear side rails 103, 104. The adjustable storage rack 100 may also include a plurality of diagonal support braces 106 extending between adjacent stanchions 101, 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the diagonal support braces 106 are arranged in an X-shaped configuration or pattern, although in one or more alternate embodiments, the diagonal support braces 106 may be arranged in any other suitable configuration. Additionally, in one embodiment, the front and rear stanchions 101, 102 may be substantially vertical and the side rails 103, 104 and the end rails 105 may be substantially horizontal, although in one or more alternate embodiments, the stanchions 101, 102, the side rails 103, 104, and the end rails 105 may have any other suitable orientations.

#With continued reference to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the adjustable storage rack 100 also includes a plurality of stanchion adjustment assemblies 107 slidably coupling the front and rear stanchions 101, 102 to the front and rear side rails 103, 104, respectively. The stanchion adjustment assemblies 107 are configured to facilitate laterally adjusting the position of the stanchions 101, 102 (e.g., the stanchion adjustment assemblies 107 are configured to facilitate laterally sliding (arrow 108) the stanchions 101, 102 along the length of the side rails 103, 104 and into the desired positions).