An overhead storage unit is disclosed. The storage unit has an elongated guide member with a first horizontal segment mountable within an overhead storage area, a second vertical segment mountable below the overhead storage area, and a curved segment extending between the first and second segments. The storage unit also has a storage container with at least a first wall mounted to the guide member and displaceable therealong to be raised and lowered between a stored position and an accessible position. The first wall is disposed within the storage area and has a first orientation to define a bottom surface of the storage container in the stored position. The first wall is disposed below the storage area and has a second orientation different from the first orientation in the accessible position. A residential living unit and method are also disclosed.

An overhead storage unit is disclosed. The storage unit has an elongated guide member with a first horizontal segment mountable within an overhead storage area, a second vertical segment mountable below the overhead storage area, and a curved segment extending between the first and second segments. The storage unit also has a storage container with at least a first wall mounted to the guide member and displaceable therealong to be raised and lowered between a stored position and an accessible position. The first wall is disposed within the storage area and has a first orientation to define a bottom surface of the storage container in the stored position. The first wall is disposed below the storage area and has a second orientation different from the first orientation in the accessible position. A residential living unit and method are also disclosed.

The invention concerns an ergonomic storage unit having at least one retractable container; and a mechanism configured to displace the at least one retractable container between two positions: a stowed position in which the retractable container is stowed in the storage unit; and an ergonomic position in which the retractable container is positioned in front of the storage unit and at a height which is different from that of the stowed position, in a manner such that the retractable container is more accessible as regards to height compared with the stowed position. The mechanism is configured to support the weight of the retractable container by distributing the weight on either side of the mechanism in the width direction of the retractable container, thereby establishing lateral access to the retractable container in the ergonomic position.

The invention concerns an ergonomic storage unit having at least one retractable container; and a mechanism configured to displace the at least one retractable container between two positions: a stowed position in which the retractable container is stowed in the storage unit; and an ergonomic position in which the retractable container is positioned in front of the storage unit and at a height which is different from that of the stowed position, in a manner such that the retractable container is more accessible as regards to height compared with the stowed position. The mechanism is configured to support the weight of the retractable container by distributing the weight on either side of the mechanism in the width direction of the retractable container, thereby establishing lateral access to the retractable container in the ergonomic position.

In a first aspect, the invention relates to a storage device comprising a frame and a compartment system suspended within the frame, the compartment system providing at least two n levels of storage compartments, accessible from a front side of the device, and suitable for storing general cargo, the device further being adapted for vertical movability of the compartment system. In particular, the compartment system is rectangularly suspended from four lifting belts extending vertically upwards. In a further aspect, the invention provides the use of the storage device.

In a first aspect, the invention relates to a storage device comprising a frame and a compartment system suspended within the frame, the compartment system providing at least two n levels of storage compartments, accessible from a front side of the device, and suitable for storing general cargo, the device further being adapted for vertical movability of the compartment system. In particular, the compartment system is rectangularly suspended from four lifting belts extending vertically upwards. In a further aspect, the invention provides the use of the storage device.

An articulated storage apparatus has a mounting plate having openings for fasteners to mount to a stable stationary surface, a first arm extending from the mounting plate, a second arm coupled at a first end to the first arm at an end away from the carrier plate by a first vertically-oriented rotation mechanism driven by a first electric motor, a carrier plate having openings for fasteners to mount to a storage container, a third arm extending from the carrier plate coupled at an end away from the carrier plate to the second arm at a second end opposite the first end by a second vertically-oriented rotation mechanism driven by a second electric motor, and a control system having independent drivers for the first and the second electric motors, with inputs for independently rotating the electric motors in opposite directions.

The invention concerns an ergonomic storage unit having at least one retractable container; and a mechanism configured to displace the at least one retractable container between two positions: a stowed position in which the retractable container is stowed in the storage unit; and an ergonomic position in which the retractable container is positioned in front of the storage unit and at a height which is different from that of the stowed position, in a manner such that the retractable container is more accessible as regards to height compared with the stowed position. The mechanism is configured to support the weight of the retractable container by distributing the weight on either side of the mechanism in the width direction of the retractable container, thereby establishing lateral access to the retractable container in the ergonomic position.

The invention concerns an ergonomic storage unit having at least one retractable container; and a mechanism configured to displace the at least one retractable container between two positions: a stowed position in which the retractable container is stowed in the storage unit; and an ergonomic position in which the retractable container is positioned in front of the storage unit and at a height which is different from that of the stowed position, in a manner such that the retractable container is more accessible as regards to height compared with the stowed position. The mechanism is configured to support the weight of the retractable container by distributing the weight on either side of the mechanism in the width direction of the retractable container, thereby establishing lateral access to the retractable container in the ergonomic position.

The techniques and systems (e.g., elevator shelf systems) for efficient shelving and item storage are described. For instance, one or more aspects of the described example shelving systems may provide for more compact and more stable shelving systems (e.g., saving more space cabinets for storage rather than shelving operating mechanisms, providing more stability against lateral and in/out swings during descent and ascent, providing capabilities of handling shelving loads up to 30 kg, etc.). One or more inventive aspects of the techniques and systems described herein include the efficient integration and configuration of drawer slides (e.g., for in/out shelf motion), as well as the efficient integration and configuration of a belt and reel system (e.g., for up/down shelf motion).