STORAGE SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract

A storage system 1 for storing items 20, the storage system 1 comprising: a plurality of backing panels 9 spaced apart by a predetermined distance to define a slot 11 between adjacent backing panels; a front panel 3 having a projection (19, FIG. 4) from its rear surface, the projection (19) slidably receivable within the slot 11 and configured to engage a rear surface of each adjacent backing panel 9, the projection (19) thereby securing the front panel 3 relative to the slot 11. Methods (500, 600, FIGS. 5, 6) of manufacturing a storage system and interchanging items are also described.

Claims

1. A storage system for storing items, the storage system comprising: a plurality of backing panels spaced apart by a predetermined distance to define a slot between adjacent backing panels; a front panel having a projection from its rear surface, the projection slidably receivable within the slot and configured to engage a rear surface of each adjacent backing panel defining the slot, the projection thereby securing the front panel relative to the slot, wherein the front panel is configured to engage a single slot and each slot is configured to receive a single front panel.

2. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the slot is tapered towards a front surface of the adjacent backing panels defining the slot.

3. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the adjacent backing panels defining the slot comprise stepped edges.

4. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the slot comprises at least one free end from which end the projection may be inserted.

5. The storage system of claim 1, comprising at least three backing panels spaced apart by the predetermined distance to define at least two parallel slots of substantially the same dimensions, such that each of the at least two slots is configured to slidably receive the projection of the front panel.

6. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the front panel comprises: a plurality of projections provided along a centreline of the front panel; or an elongate projection extending along a centreline of the front panel.

7. The storage system of claim 1, comprising a plurality of front panels, each front panel comprising a projection provided on a centreline of the front panel.

8. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the backing panels comprise substantially the same width and height dimensions as the front panel.

9. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the front panel comprises a front surface for retaining items.

10. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the projection comprises a fastener which secures an item to a front surface of the front panel.

11. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the backing panels are provided in substantially the same plane and parallel with one another such that the slot comprises uniform dimensions along its length.

12. The storage system of claim 1, wherein in a received position, the backing panels and the front panel form contiguous end surfaces.

13. The storage system of claim 1, further comprising a pillar configured to support the backing panels, the pillar comprising pre-drilled holes in a planar front face.

14. A method of interchanging items stored by the storage system of claim 1, the method comprising: sliding a first front panel along a slot so as to remove the first front panel from the storage system; sliding a second front panel along the slot so as to insert the second front panel into the slot.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising one or more of: removing a side element to permit sliding of the first front panel; and replacing the side element to prevent sliding of the second front panel.

16. A method comprising: fixing a plurality of backing panels with a predetermined separation to define a slot between adjacent backing panels; providing a front panel for storing items and having a projection from its rear surface; sliding the projection along the slot to engage a rear surface of each adjacent backing panel defining the slot to thereby retain the front panel relative to the slot, wherein the front panel is configured to engage a single slot and the or each slot is configured to receive a single front panel.

17. The method of claim 16, comprising: pre-drilling a series of holes in a pillar, using a jig, the holes having alternating separation.

18. The method of claim 16, comprising pre-drilling an array of holes in each of the plurality of backing panels, using a jig, the holes having a uniform layout in each backing panel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0035] For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0036] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a storage system according to the present invention;

[0037] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the storage system of FIG. 1 in a partly disassembled configuration;

[0038] FIG. 3 is a side view of the storage system of FIG. 1 in a partly disassembled configuration;

[0039] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of a front storage panel according to the present invention; and

[0040] FIGS. 5 and 6 are example methods according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The Figures described below are exemplary not limiting, the scope of the invention being limited only by the claims.

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a storage system 1 in an assembled configuration in which a plurality of storage items 20 is stored by the system 1.

[0043] The system 1 comprises a plurality of laterally extending front panels 3 provided side-by-side along a height direction of the system 1. The front panels 3 are substantially planar and have substantially uniform thickness. Each front panel 3 is configured to retain at least one item 20 to be stored by the system 1.

[0044] In the embodiment shown, each storage panel 3 retains three items 20 provided substantially along a centreline of the storage panel 3. The items 20 are attached to the front panels 3 by means of fasteners 17 (described in relation to FIG. 4). However, it will be understood that the items 20 may be retained by the respective front panels 3 by any suitable means.

[0045] The front panels 3 are provided between side elements 5 which extend in the height direction along lateral edges of the system 1. The side elements 5 retain each front panel within its respective slot 11 (FIGS. 2 and 3) by preventing the front panels 3 from being slid laterally out of the respective slot 11.

[0046] The system 1 comprises upper and lower elements 7 which space the uppermost and lowermost front panels 3 from the upper and lower edges of the system 1 respectively.

[0047] For example, the upper and lower elements 7 may space the uppermost and lowermost front panels 3 from a floor and a ceiling such that the items 20 are provided at a more user-friendly elevation.

[0048] The storage system 1 is attachable to a wall or other structure such that it may be retained upright in a substantially vertical position, e.g., with the front panels 3 substantially vertical.

[0049] FIG. 2 shows the storage system 1 in a partly disassembled configuration, in which the side elements 5 have been removed, and three front panels 3 have been removed. FIG. 3 shows a side view of the system 1 once the nearest side element 5 has been removed. The upper and lower ends of the system 1 have been truncated in FIGS. 2 and 3 in order to show clearly the internal structure of the system 1.

[0050] The system 1 comprises a plurality of backing panels 9 to the rear of the front panels 3. The backing panels 9 are substantially planar and have generally uniform thickness, with the exception of the stepped edges described below.

[0051] The backing panels 9 are spaced apart by a pre-determined distance and provided substantially in parallel and in the same plane as one another (preferably a substantially vertical plane). Opposing faces of adjacent backing panels 9 thereby define an elongate slot 11 therebetween, such that the system 1 comprises a series of laterally extending slots 11 existing in substantially in the same plane as the backing panels 9. The slots 11 throughout the system 1 have corresponding (e.g., the same) dimensions and geometry. In a preferred example, the slots 11 extend substantially horizontally.

[0052] The backing panels 9 comprise stepped edges (stepped upper and lower laterally extending edges in the orientation shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) such that each slot 11 is wider towards the rear of the backing panel 9 and narrows towards the front. In particular, backing panels 9 comprise a rear face of shorter height dimension (relative to FIGS. 2 and 3) than the front face of the backing panel 9. Part way (e.g. half-way) along its thickness dimension (e.g., left to right in FIG. 3), the backing panels 9 comprise a step or ledge on either major edge. The step extends along the entire lateral dimension of the backing panel 9.

[0053] The slot 11 thereby comprises a wider portion towards the rear of the system 1, and a narrower portion towards the front of the system and which intersects the front surface of the backing panel 9. The wider portion of the slot 11 may be enclosed by a pillar 13, described below. The wider portion and the narrower portion of the slot 11 extend from one side of the backing panel 9 to the other, such that each slot 11 comprises two open ends. The opposing side of the system 1 may comprise a mirror image of FIG. 3.

[0054] In a preferred example, the front surface of the backing panel 9 and the front panel 3 comprise substantially the same height dimension. For example, the front panel 3 and the backing panel 9 may be formed from the same components, e.g., such that the front panel 3 also comprises a stepped edge, which may be obscured in an assembled configuration.

[0055] The backing panels 9 are secured to a support 13 (e.g., a pillar 13) extending longitudinally behind the backing panels 9. The support 13 is configured to support the backing panels 9 such that the backing panels 9 remain fixed in position. In the embodiment shown, the backing panels 9 are secured to two vertically extending pillars 13 which are provided towards either lateral side of the system 1.

[0056] The backing panels 9 are secured to the support 13 by means of fasteners passing through fastening holes which are provided at fixed locations in each backing panel 9. These fastening holes may be pre-drilled, as described later. In a preferred example, the backing panels 9 are fastened to the pillar 13 by means of dowelling inserted in a right-left direction relative to FIG. 3. The supports 13 may be attached to a wall or other structure, e.g., to retain the system 1 in an upright position.

[0057] With reference to FIG. 4, the rear surface of a front panel 3 is described. The rear surface comprises a number of countersunk fasteners 17 which secure the items 20 on the opposing major surface (not shown) to the front panel 3. The fasteners 17, and thus the items 20, are provided along a centreline of the front panel 3.

[0058] The front panel 3 further comprises a projection 19 extending from its rear surface. The projection 19 comprises a head at its distal end relative to the rear surface of the front panel 3 (e.g., its free end) and a neck therebetween. The projection 19 may comprise a bolt, screw or similar. The projection 19 is provided along a centreline of the front panel 3, such that the projection 19 is aligned with the countersunk fasteners 17.

[0059] The neck is narrower in dimension than the head. The width dimension of the neck corresponds to (e.g., is marginally smaller than) a narrowest dimension of the slot 11, and the width dimension of the head corresponds to (e.g., is marginally smaller than) a widest dimension of the slot 11 (e.g., widest dimension in the height direction). The length of the neck and the length of the head are selected according to the dimension of the slot 11, e.g., the dimensions of the step in the thickness direction.

[0060] In the embodiment shown, the front panel 3 comprises two projections 19 provided towards either end of the panel 3 and provided along a centreline of the panel 3 (e.g., centred relative to the height of the panel).

[0061] The projection 19 is slidably receivable within the slot 11 in a lateral direction (e.g., along the length of the slot), starting from an open end of the slot 11. In particular, the head is receivable within the wider part of the slot 11, and the neck of the projection 19 is receivable within the narrower part of the slot.

[0062] A forward-facing surface of the head (e.g., a surface of the head facing away in FIG. 4) is configured to engage the ledge of adjacent stepped edges of adjacent backing panels 9.

[0063] As such, the projection 19 is configured to retain the front panel 3 relative to the slot 11 and thus the backing panel 9. If the front panel 3 comprises a plurality of projections 19 along the lateral dimension (e.g., centreline), or a laterally extending elongate projection 19, the front panel 3 may be retained in a fixed orientation relative to the slot 11.

Assembly

[0064] With reference to FIG. 5, there is provided a method 500 of assembling a storage assembly 1. The method 500 comprises fixing 502 a plurality of backing panels 9 with a predetermined separation to define a slot 11 between adjacent backing panels 9; providing 504 a front panel 3 for storing items 20 and having a projection 19 from its rear surface; and sliding 506 the projection 19 along the slot to engage a rear surface of each adjacent backing panel 9 to thereby retain the front panel 3 relative to the slot 11.

[0065] In use, a projection 19 of a front panel 3 is inserted into an open lateral end of a slot 11. In particular, the head of the projection 19 is received in the wider part of the slot 11 so as to engage rearward facing surfaces of the slot 11, and the neck of the projection is received in the narrower part of the slot 11.

[0066] The front panel 3, and thus the projection 19, is slid laterally along the slot 11. When the front panel 3 comprises a plurality of projections 19, the further projections 19 of the panel 3 also engage the same slot 11.

[0067] Due to the engagement of the ledges of the stepped slot 11 by the head of the projection 19, the front panel 3 is retained relative to the slot 11, the backing panels 9 and thus the storage system 1.

[0068] As the backing panels 9 are provided with a predetermined separation and so the slots 11 are all uniform, any front panel 3 may engage any slot 11, such that any front panel 3 may be placed at any elevation (e.g., any of the discrete elevations) of the system 1.

[0069] The side element 5 provided at a far side of the system 1 may prevent the front panels 3 from being pushed out the other side of the slot 11 (e.g., in the embodiment that the slot comprises 11 a continuous channel without ends).

[0070] In the engaged position, the front panel 3 may abut the backing panel 9 (e.g., a substantially planar contact may be formed therebetween). As the projections 19 are symmetric and provided along a centreline, front panels 3 may be inserted upside down and there may be no difference to the engagement of the slot 11.

[0071] A user may continue inserting front panels 3 into slots 11 until the slots 11 of the system 1 are fully occupied. Upon full occupation of the slots 11, the side element 5 at the near side of the system may be replaced.

[0072] With reference to FIG. 6, there is provided a method 600 of interchanging or exchanging items stored by the storage system 1. The method 600 comprises sliding 604 a first front panel 3 along a slot 11 so as to remove the first front panel from the storage system 1.

[0073] The method 600 further comprises sliding 606 a second front panel 3 along the slot 11 so as to insert the second front panel 3 into the slot 11. The method 600 may additionally comprise removing 602 a side element 5 (e.g., before removal of the first front panel 3). The method 600 may additionally comprise replacing 608 the side element 5 (e.g., after insertion of the second front panel 3).

[0074] The second front panel 3 may have been removed from a different slot 11. Alternatively, the second front panel 3 may comprise new items 20 which are to be stored by the system 1.

Manufacture

[0075] During manufacture, each backing panel 9 is provided with pre-drilled fastening holes 15 at fixed locations within the backing panel 9. As shown in FIG. 2, the pre-drilled fastening holes 15 are provided at fixed, symmetric locations towards each corner of the backing panel 9.

[0076] Similarly, each pillar 13 is provided with a series of pre-drilled fastening holes (not shown) which are provided at fixed locations along the pillar. In the embodiment shown, the pre-drilled fastening holes within the pillar 13 are provided with an alternating separation reflecting the distance between holes within the same backing panel 9 and holes between adjacent backing panels 9 with which the holes in the pillar 13 are intended to align during assembly.

[0077] As the locations of the holes in the pillars 13 and the backing panels 9 are the same for each pillar 13 and backing panel 9 respectively, these holes may be drilled using a jig or other highly regularised, efficient process. The present invention thereby permits rapid manufacture of a storage system 1.

[0078] In a preferred example, the pre-drilled holes 15 are configured to receive dowelling (e.g., dowelling and glue) to secure the backing panels 9 to the pillars 13. The use of dowelling may permit faster assembly of the system 1 than the use of alternative fastening means (e.g., screws).

Advantages

[0079] By providing stepped edges to the backing panels 9 rather than flat edges, the backing panels 9 may be secured in abutment with the pillars 13, without preventing the head of the projection 19 from engaging a rear surface of adjacent backing panels 9. In effect, the provision of stepped edges permits a stronger connection between the backing panel 9 and the pillar 13. Further, stepped edges permit the slot 11 to extend continuously from one end of each panel 9 to the other, without interruption (e.g., by a pillar 13).

[0080] Although the provision of slots between panels 9 rather than within a unitary component may appear to be a more complex construction (e.g., it is generally preferable to provide a feature within one component rather than multiple), this feature permits rapid manufacturing and assembly. For example, to provide a slot having a ledge on either side within the interior of a single component would require the machining of re-entrants. However, by providing a stepped edge is more straightforward and can be machined faster. The accuracy required to achieve reliable slots 11 is achieved by the use of a jig for drilling the holes in the pillar 13 and the panel 9.

[0081] Further, by providing slots 11 between backing panels 9 rather than within one component, the overall spatial efficiency of the storage system 11 is increased.

Alternatives

[0082] Although the illustrated embodiments show the items 20 aligned along the centreline of the front panel 3, this does not form an essential part of the invention (e.g., is optional).

[0083] In an embodiment not shown, the projection 19 may be elongate (e.g., rather than a discrete bolt) and may extend along a lateral dimension of the front panel 3. For example, projection 19 may extend along the centreline of the rear surface of the front panel 3 such that the projection 19 may engage the slot 11 along a line (e.g., a substantial portion of the length of the slot 11). Further, the or each projection 19 may be provided along a line or plane other than the centreline. For example, the projections 19 may be provided along a line offset from the centreline, which extends in parallel with a long edge of the front panel 3, such as a line a quarter or a third of the height dimension away from a long edge of the front panel 3.

[0084] In a further embodiment not shown, the backing panels 9 may comprise multiple steps.

[0085] Although the illustrated items 20 comprise handles on a shop display, it will be understood by the skilled person that the dimensions of the panel 3 may be varied and the items 20 stored by the panels 3 may be varied without departing from the present invention. For example, larger and heavier items may require front panels 3 and backing panels 9 of larger dimensions.

[0086] In an embodiment not shown, the or each projection 19 may comprise a fastener 17 which also secures an item to the front panel 3. For example, each projection 19 may comprise a fastener 17. Alternatively, only some projections 19 may comprise a fastener 17.

[0087] Each backing panel 9 may comprise only a single laterally extending step, such that each backing panel may define only a single side of a single slot 11. Accordingly, the backing panels 9 may have approximately half the height dimension of the backing panels 9 and only every other space between adjacent backing panels 9 may define a slot 11.

[0088] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that although the invention has been described by way of example, with reference to one or more exemplary examples, it is not limited to the disclosed examples and that alternative examples could be constructed without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.