Storage rack

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a storage rack for storing cloth products of which the shapes can be changed, such as towels and clothes. [Solution] A storage rack 100 for storing cloth products of which the shapes can be changed according to the present invention comprises: a top plate 102; side plates 101-1a, 101-1b, 101-2a, 101-2b on both sides; bottom plates 106; storage sections for storing cloth products, the storage sections being formed on the bottom plates 106; and stopper plates 107 that are disposed in the storage sections, the stopper plates 107 defining, within the storage sections, upper open parts 108 and lower open parts 109 narrower than the upper open parts 108.

Description

storage shelves

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage shelf, and more particularly to a storage shelf for storing reshapeable fabric products.

[0002] Various storage shelves have been proposed for the purpose of storing clothing, etc. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 11-113652 (Patent Document 1) describes a storage shelf that has a relatively simple structure, can be easily assembled, and can also reduce assembly time, and that includes a plurality of partition plates arranged at intervals in the horizontal direction in the storage shelf space, and a plurality of shelf plates arranged at intervals in the vertical direction in the storage shelf space.

[0003] The storage shelf described in Patent Document 1 has partition plates extending between the bottom plates, and the storage shelf has multiple shelf levels and multiple storage sections partitioned horizontally between the shelf levels. The storage shelf described in Patent Document 1 can be used as a clothing shelf, a Buddhist altar shelf, a storage locker, etc.

[0004] The storage shelf described in Patent Document 1 is not particularly suitable for stacking cloth products, such as clothes and towels, regardless of their shape. For example, although towels can be stacked in the storage section, the top towel is often the only towel used, while towels placed at the bottom are less frequently used. Furthermore, to access a towel at the bottom, the towel on top must be lifted, which is inconvenient. Another problem is that unfolded cloth products cannot be stored in the shelf.

[0005] In other words, Patent Document 1 has the disadvantage of reducing the utilization of the towels and clothes underneath, not giving sufficient consideration to the even utilization of clothes and towels, and not giving consideration to reducing the time required for housework.

[0006] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-113652

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the problems of the above-mentioned conventional technology, and aims to provide a storage shelf that increases the usability of multiple stored fabric products, thereby enabling the stored items to be used evenly and improving housework efficiency.

[0008] According to the present invention, there is provided a storage shelf for storing shape-adjustable fabric products, the storage shelf comprising: a top plate, side plates on both sides, a bottom plate, a storage compartment formed on the bottom plate for storing the fabric products, and a stopper plate disposed in the storage compartment and defining an upper open portion and a lower open portion narrower than the upper open portion in the storage compartment. The present invention may comprise a partition plate extending between the bottom plates to divide the storage compartment into two or more portions. Part or all of the stopper plate may be freely opened and closed toward the front of the storage shelf.

[0009] According to the present invention, a storage shelf is provided that increases the usability of fabric products that are stored in multiple piles, improves housework efficiency, and meets the requirements of the SDGs.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a storage shelf 100 of this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a front view of the storage shelf 100 of this embodiment. Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a storage compartment of the storage shelf 100 of this embodiment. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a step portion provided to accommodate a baseboard indicated by circle A in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a diagram explaining how the storage shelf 100 of this embodiment is used. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing how the storage shelf 100 prototyped by the inventor is installed.

[0011] The present invention will be described below using an embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a storage shelf 100 according to this embodiment. The storage shelf 100 is shaped so that it can be placed along the wall of a room. The storage shelf 100 is composed of an upper segment 100a and a lower segment 100b, taking into consideration ease of handling, assembly, and installation. The upper segment 100a includes a top panel 102, side panels 101-1a and 101-1b, a bottommost panel 106, and a plurality of bottom panels 106, a plurality of partition panels 104, and a plurality of stopper panels 107 disposed therebetween. The lower segment 100b has the same configuration as the upper segment 100a between the top panel 103 and the bottommost panel 106. However, the lower segment 100b includes a fascia panel 111 extending from the bottommost panel 106 toward the floor and a step provided on the wall side indicated by circle A for accommodating a baseboard. The differences from the upper segment 100a will be described in more detail below.

[0012] The back of the storage shelf 100 is closed by a back panel 110, and multiple bottom panels 106 are arranged at predetermined intervals on the front of the storage shelf 100. Multiple partition panels 104 are arranged vertically between the top panel 102 and the bottom panel 106 immediately below it, and between adjacent bottom panels 106 above and below, to define multiple storage compartments on the user's side of the back panel 110. In another embodiment, the back panel 110 can be omitted, and the wall of the room in which the storage shelf 100 is placed can itself function as the back panel 110. Even in this embodiment, the storage compartment function can be fully achieved by fixing the storage shelf 100 to the wall with anti-tip members.

[0013] Stopper plates 107 are arranged above the bottom plate 106, extending across the multiple storage compartments extending between the side plates 101-1a, 101-b, 101-2a, 101-b, for the purposes of preventing stored items from falling and for hiding the contents. In the illustrated embodiment, the stopper plates 107 are fixed to the inner surfaces of the side plates 101-1a, 101-b, 101-2a, 101-b. The vertical length of the stopper plates 107 is shorter than the vertical length of the storage compartments, forming upper and lower release portions 108 and 109 above and below the storage compartments, respectively, for inserting and removing fabric products from the storage compartments.

[0014] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the upper open section 108 is used exclusively for placing or throwing towels, clothes, etc. into the storage compartment, and the lower open section 109 is used exclusively for removing fabric products. Therefore, the storage shelf 100 of this embodiment does not only increase the turnover rate of fabric products on the upper side, but also increases the use of fabric products placed below, preventing fabric products from being used more frequently depending on their placement. Furthermore, when you are short on time due to housework or want your children to help, you can improve housework efficiency by throwing fabric products into the storage compartment without folding them.

[0015] The number of horizontal storage compartments is determined by the number of dividers 104. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the top shelf has two horizontal compartments, and the bottom shelves have three. The number of horizontal storage compartments is not limited to this, and only one horizontal compartment can be provided for cloth products that are large in the horizontal direction, such as towels, blankets, or sheets. Furthermore, the width of the storage compartments and the widths of the upper and lower open portions 108, 109 can be changed on each shelf level depending on the size of the cloth products, such as bath towels, hand towels, gowns, pajamas, underwear, socks, etc., from the top.

[0016] Therefore, the storage shelf 100 of this embodiment allows for even use of stored fabric products, and by equalizing the wear and tear and durability of fabric products, it is possible to extend the life of fabric products, which can contribute to preventing global warming and achieving SDG Goal 12.

[0017] Next, the storage shelf 100 of this embodiment will be described. As described above, the storage shelf 100 shown in Figure 1 is composed of two segments, an upper segment 100a and a lower segment 100b, in consideration of ease of handling, assembly, and installation, and the upper segment 100a and the lower segment 100b can be connected vertically at corresponding locations on both side panels 101a, 101b by, for example, wooden nails, wood glue, wood screws, cam lock screws, etc.

[0018] In another embodiment, the upper segment 100a and the lower segment 100b can be integrated by using metal plates, plastic plates, or the like and fastening them with wood screws or the like at appropriate locations where the side panels 101-1a, 101-b, 101-2a, 101-b of the upper segment 100a and the lower segment 100b are connected. In yet another embodiment, the upper segment 100a and the lower segment 100b can simply be stacked one on top of the other and secured to the wall with anti-tip members or the like. An embodiment in which the upper segment 100a and the lower segment 100b are integrated can also be envisioned, and in this embodiment, it is preferable to prevent tipping using anti-tip members. Furthermore, if ease of assembly is not a consideration, the storage shelf 100 does not need to be constructed from the upper segment 100a and the lower segment 100b, and side panels (not shown) extending integrally from the top panel 103 to the floor can be used.

[0019] Both side panels 101-2a, b of the lower segment 100b extend further downward from the bottom panel 106, which is the lowest panel of the lower segment 100b, and a top panel 111 is fixed to the front portion between them, stabilizing the storage shelf 100 so that it does not wobble. In addition, on the underside of both side panels 101-2a, b opposite the top panel 111 of the lower segment 100b, at the position indicated by circle A, a step is formed to accommodate baseboards that are placed between the floor and the wall in a room, allowing the entire back surface of the storage shelf 100 to be placed against the wall, improving space utilization. The step will be described in more detail below.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a front view of the storage shelf 100 of this embodiment. Its approximate dimensions correspond to those of typical household furniture, measuring approximately 200 cm in height, 18 cm in depth, and 75 cm in width. The stopper plate 107 shown in FIG. 2 extends between the side panels 101-1a, 101-b, 101-2a, 101-b. However, in this embodiment, for convenience when placing fabric products on top, the stopper plate 107 can be divided into two or more sections of an appropriate length, with each end hinged to the respective end of the side panels 101-1a, 101-b, 101-2a, 101-b, so that it opens like a double door toward the user. In yet another embodiment, the storage shelf 100 can be configured to open entirely to one side, rather than like a double door. The hinges can also be attached to the partition panel 104, rather than to the side panels 101-1a, 101-b, 101-2a, 101-b.

[0021] In an embodiment in which the stopper plates 107 are of the double-door type, it is possible to open and close only the portion of the stopper plates 107 which has a large area when stacked, such as the top portion in Fig. 2, rather than the entire stopper plates 107. In an embodiment in which the stopper plates 107 are of the double-door type, magnetic sheets, hooks or other engaging members can be disposed at positions facing the partition plates 104 of the stopper plates 107, thereby achieving both the ability to open and close and the stopper function.

[0022] In addition, a gripping element such as a handle or a grip can be disposed at the mating position on the front side of the stopper plate 107 .

[0023] The stopper plate 107 can be made of an opaque decorative plate. In another embodiment, it can be made of a transparent acrylic plate with an appropriate level of smoke to check the state and amount of the contents. Also, only an appropriate portion of the stopper plate 107 can be made of acrylic plate and used as a peephole.

[0024] 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the storage compartment of the storage shelf 100 of this embodiment. As described above, the storage shelf 100 forms storage compartments on the opposite side of the wall (user side) by disposing partition plates 104 between vertically adjacent bottom plates 106 (the uppermost level is between the top plate 102 and the bottom plate 106) extending between both side plates 101-1a, b and 101-2a, b. A stopper plate 107 is disposed in front of the storage compartment, and the user can access fabric products through an upper open portion 108 and a lower open portion 109 of the stopper plate 107.

[0025] The top plate 102, bottom plate 106, partition plate 104, and stopper plate 107 of the storage shelf 100 can be fixed by any known fixing method, and when fixing, wood screws, wooden nails, cam lock screws, wood glue, shelf support members for receiving the bottom plate 106, etc. can be used.

[0026] Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of the step portion provided to accommodate the baseboard indicated by circle A in Figure 1. The step is formed at the lower wall-side ends of both side panels 101-2a, b of lower segment 100b, and accommodates the baseboard to be placed at the connecting portion continuing from the floor to the wall, allowing back panel 110 of storage shelf 100 to be positioned close to the wall.

[0027] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating how the storage shelf 100 of this embodiment is used. As shown in Figure 5, the storage shelf 100 is set to a height that allows a user 200 to reach the top storage compartment with both arms outstretched. Note that, taking into account the height of the user, the stopper plate 107 can be configured as a double door depending on the height position for user convenience.

[0028] As can be seen from FIG. 5 , a user stores fabric products in the upper open section 108 of the storage compartment and removes them from the lower open section 109. When storing fabric products, the user can also throw them into the upper open section 108 to reduce the effort required for storage and shorten housework time. Furthermore, the storage shelf 100 of this embodiment is thin, at just 18 cm, and therefore can be installed in a relatively small dressing room within a home. In the embodiment where the storage shelf 100 is installed in a dressing room, towels, underwear, socks, and other fabric products are particularly suitable for the storage shelf 100 because they do not wrinkle easily even without folding. The stopper plate 107 allows for concealment and allows for storage while maintaining a visually appealing appearance. Furthermore, by storing fabric products dried in a washing machine typically installed near the dressing room directly in the storage shelf 100 in the dressing room, housework traffic can be shortened. By adjusting the vertical width of the lower open section 109 taking into consideration the size, bulkiness, and thickness of each fabric product to be stored, it is possible to minimize the number of fabric products that are taken out when the fabric products are removed from the lower open section 109. Furthermore, with conventional drawer-type storage shelves, the number of steps required for storage is large, and children cannot help with this. On the other hand, with the storage shelf 100 of this embodiment, even children can easily insert items into the upper open section 108, making it easier for children to participate in housework and fostering their independence and self-reliance.

[0029] Furthermore, because the user can easily access the lower release portion 109, they tend to take out fabric products from the bottom rather than from the top. This means that the bottom item is always used first, which allows fabric products to be used and washed more evenly and last longer, thereby contributing to the prevention of global warming and the SDGs.

[0030] Figure 6 shows the installation mode of a storage shelf 100 prototyped by the inventor. As shown in Figure 6, the storage shelf 100 can be placed close to a wall, thereby saving storage space. Furthermore, clothing, towels, and other fabric products 300, 301 can be stacked vertically. Therefore, compared to commercially available plastic clothing cases, the storage shelf 100 of this embodiment can significantly improve the storage efficiency of fabric products that can be stored in various shapes, such as towels and clothing, which can be stored flat or without folding, by effectively utilizing the height without compromising the appearance. Furthermore, because the storage shelf 100 of this embodiment is separated into upper and lower segments 100a, b, it does not require any long components, making it easy to transport, and it can be installed flexibly, such as vertically or horizontally.

[0031] Although the present invention has been described above in accordance with the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments, and various modifications, variations, and other uses can be made to the described embodiments within the scope that can be imagined by a person skilled in the art. Such modifications, variations, other uses, or equivalents also fall within the scope of the present invention as long as they provide the same effects as the present embodiments and are within the scope of the utility model registration claims described below.

[0032] 100: Storage shelf 101a, b: Upper segment, lower segment 101-1a, b: Side panel 101-2a, b: Side panel 102, 103: Top panel 104: Partition panel 106: Bottom panel 107: Stopper panel 108: Upper open section 109: Lower open section 110: Back panel 111: Back panel

Claims

1. A storage shelf for storing shape-changing fabric products, comprising: a top plate; side plates on both sides; a bottom plate; a storage compartment formed on the bottom plate for storing the fabric products; and a stopper plate disposed in the storage compartment, defining an upper open portion and a lower open portion narrower than the upper open portion in the storage compartment.

2. The storage shelf according to claim 1, further comprising a partition plate extending between said bottom plates to divide said storage compartment into two or more compartments.

3. The storage shelf according to claim 1, wherein the stopper plate is partly or entirely openable and closable toward the front side of the storage shelf.

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