Adjustable Wall Support Rack for Dense Ski and Gear Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wall storage systems are inefficient for storing items of varying lengths and sizes, such as skis, due to their rigidity, high cost, and difficulty in installation, and often result in space inefficiency and risk of damage from falling items.

Innovation Solution

A modular support rack system with adjustable mounting pegs and slats that can be mounted to a wall, allowing for horizontal and vertical adjustment of pegs to accommodate items of different sizes, made from materials like wood, plastic, or metal, enabling flexible configuration and expansion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a rigid board-and-peg system is used for wall storage, then installation is simple, but the system cannot accommodate items of varying sizes and consumes excessive wall space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of varying item sizesVSAvoidwall space consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid board is segmented into multiple adjustable slats that can be independently positioned vertically. This segmentation allows each slat to be adjusted to accommodate items of different heights while maintaining a compact overall structure that minimizes wall space consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static rigid board to a dynamic adjustable slat system. The slats can be moved vertically along the mounting channels, enabling the storage system to adapt to varying item dimensions without requiring additional wall space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple fixed rails are installed to store varying lengths of skis, then vertical spacing can be maintained, but installation becomes complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage of varying ski lengthsVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting channels serve multiple functions: they provide structural support, guide the adjustable slats, and enable vertical repositioning. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate fixed rails at different heights, simplifying installation while maintaining adaptability to various ski lengths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of installing multiple fixed rails at predetermined heights, the system uses a single set of mounting channels that allow slats to be dynamically repositioned. This reduces installation complexity while providing the same adaptability to store items of varying lengths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If skis are stored on a board-and-peg rack, then storage is achieved, but skis are easily knocked off causing damage and require frequent remounting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveski storage stabilityVSAvoidremounting frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The pegs are replaced with curved or contoured slats that conform to the shape of ski bindings. This curvature provides a more secure fit that prevents skis from being easily knocked off, improving storage stability and reducing the need for remounting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustable slat design allows skis to be positioned at optimal heights and angles before storage, creating a more stable configuration that prevents accidental dislodging. The system anticipates potential instability by allowing pre-adjustment to secure items properly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Reliability

If a metal rail-based system is used for wall storage, then durability is improved, but weight and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem durabilityVSAvoidrack weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system combines wood slats with metal mounting channels and hardware. The wood provides a lightweight yet durable mounting surface, while the metal channels and fasteners provide structural strength and durability. This composite approach maintains reliability while significantly reducing overall weight compared to all-metal systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The system separates structural components (metal channels and fasteners) from storage surfaces (wood slats). This segmentation allows the use of lightweight materials for the visible storage surfaces while maintaining durability through strategically placed metal reinforcement only where structurally necessary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9936807B2Support rack and methods of making and use

Publication Date: 2018.04.10 RYAN SHANE COLLINS

AI summary

A rack support and method of use. The support rack can include a plurality of support slats mounted to a support base. The support slats cooperatively provide a plurality of article mounting channels, and article mounts can be slidably mounted in the channels in order to provide a variety of orientations of the article mounts with respect to the support base. In one embodiment, the support channels are T-shaped, and the article mounts have T-shaped mounting ends that may slidably mount with the T-shaped support channels. Other support channel and mounting end shapes may be used. In some embodiments, the rack support may be used to store articles on a wall with increased article density, economy, reliability, safety, and/or usability.