Storage Rack with Segmented Supports for Barrel Visibility and Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional storage racks for barrels, particularly those used in retail environments for aging spirits, are limited in design and do not effectively display or manage barrels, often hiding them from view and lacking features for customer interaction or customization processes.
Innovation Solution
A storage rack system comprising multiple sections with adjustable vertical and horizontal supports, allowing for customizable configurations to accommodate various barrel sizes and shapes, along with integrated displays for information access and customer engagement, such as electronic displays on platforms or external walls, enabling the display of barrels and providing information on customization processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional storage racks use a single bottom support extending from one end to the other, then the structure is simple and stable, but the barrels are not visible and customer interaction is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The storage rack divides the support structure into multiple segments: front supports extending from the front vertical support, rear supports extending from the rear vertical support, and intermediate supports. This segmentation creates gaps between supports that allow barrels to be visible while maintaining structural integrity and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds vertical dimension to the support structure by incorporating multiple horizontal support planes at different heights. This allows barrels to be positioned at various levels, improving visibility and customer access while maintaining overall structural stability through the multi-level configuration.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional storage racks use fixed support structures, then manufacturing is simple, but adaptability to different barrel sizes and shapes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The storage rack incorporates adjustable support elements that can be positioned at different locations along the vertical supports. The horizontal supports can be adjusted in depth and position, allowing the rack to adapt to various barrel sizes, shapes, and weights while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process using standardized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs support structures with variable parameters - the length, depth, and positioning of horizontal supports can be changed to accommodate different barrel specifications. This allows a single rack design to serve multiple purposes for different barrel types without requiring complete redesign.
3Strength
If horizontal supports extend nearly the full distance between vertical supports, then structural strength is maximized, but barrel visibility and customer access are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using single long horizontal supports spanning the entire distance between vertical supports, the rack uses multiple shorter horizontal support segments. These segmented supports provide sufficient structural strength through distributed support while creating gaps that improve barrel visibility and customer access to the stored items.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage rack having an embedded display may include a plurality of sections for holding a respective plurality of items. A first section may include, for example, a first vertical support, a second vertical support substantially parallel to the first vertical support, and a first set of horizontal supports substantially perpendicular to the first vertical support and the second vertical support. The first set of horizontal supports may include a first horizontal support disposed at a first height and a first depth in the first vertical support, and a second horizontal support disposed at the first height and the first depth in the second vertical support. The first horizontal support may extend from an inner wall of the first vertical support towards the second vertical support for a distance that is less than half of the distance between the first vertical support and the second vertical support.