Reconfigurable storage system and method

Abstract

A storage system is presented, operable to provide horizontal and vertical adjustment of one or more attachment assemblies configured to hold an attachment assembly mounting device. In one embodiment, the storage system comprises a rail mounted substantially horizontally to a mounting surface such as a wall or ceiling, a vertical support suspended from the rail by an upper end of the vertical support, the vertical support configured to move, slide, or roll substantially horizontally along the rail, and an attachment assembly configured to be attached to the vertical support and to support a storage item from the attachment assembly mounting device. The attachment assemblies are further configured to slide vertically along and lock in position along one of the vertical supports. Thus, only the rail needs to be permanently attached to the mounting surface.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 922,235 which was filed Apr. 6, 2007, entitled RECONFIGURABLE STORAGE SYSTEM AND METHOD, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.FIELD OF INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to a storage system and method and more particularly to an improved tool / item storage system and method that allows both horizontal and vertical adjustment of the tool / item attachment components.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Current residential and industrial tool storage typically involves a dedicated wall placement commitment, wherein a tool is assigned to a specific mounting location or locations on the wall, utilizing one or more accompanying mounting holes and fasteners into the wall. This location-specific storage arrangement tends to take on a haphazard appearance or a random look that lacks optimum organi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017]In yet another aspect of the present invention, the vertical supports may be attached to the rails using a roller such as like a closet door roller that may be used for easy and flexible storage and providing an easy means to roll the vertical support and the one or more attachment assemblies off to one side of the assembly.

Problems solved by technology

This location-specific storage arrangement tends to take on a haphazard appearance or a random look that lacks optimum organization and is deficient in reconfiguration flexibility.

To accommodate more wall storage in unused areas of the wall, however, additional mounting rails and / or hook assemblies must be purchased and mounted at new secondary dedicated heights, once again limiting a sense of optimum organization or reconfiguration flexibility and further damaging the wall or requiring new mounting holes that are left behind if the rails are removed, for example.

Shelving and storage cabinets provide another storage solution for smaller or stackable items in a home garage, for example, but may not provide suitable storage for larger or bulky items such as shovels, weed-eaters, bikes, rakes, or a diversity of sports equipment.

In addition, shelving and storage cabinets may not provide adequate visibility and easy accessibility with items or products behind other items on a shelf or inside a closed cabinet.

Peg-board or perforated board type mounting systems provide some incremental reconfiguration flexibility in the limited spaces occupied by the peg-board hooks, but may often be restrictive in the tool weights allowed to avoid tear-thru of the peg board and the suitability of hook sizes for larger items.

Humid environments may cause warping damage or weakness in Masonite based peg-boards or rusting of steel perforated boards.

Either choice is not optimum from the perspective of either the vacating party or the new occupant.

In particular, if the vacating party chooses to leave the “storage system” behind storage system pieces and parts are lost, while leaving behind a potentially cluttered random looking array of used brackets, supports and hangers; this may reduce the appeal, the value and the salability of the home.

In addition, tool storage owners that invest in a storage system often want to take the system with them when they move without having to damage the walls.

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