AU2016101426A4

AU2016101426A4 - A locker assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2016101426A4
Application number: AU2016101426A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Anthony Martin Downes; Mark Anthony Rossiter; Justin Louis Sires
Original assignee: PFL SPACES Pty Ltd
Current assignee: PFL SPACES Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2016-08-09
Filing date: 2016-08-09
Publication date: 2016-09-08
Anticipated expiration: 2024-08-09
Also published as: GB2555191B; GB201712448D0; AU2016101426B4; GB2555191A

Abstract

- 18 The present invention relates to a locker assembly suitable for a change room. The locker assembly includes an upper compartment and a lower compartment arranged beneath the upper 5 compartment, each of the compartments having a hanging rail for hanging clothing items, the compartments having a front door, opposite side panels, a top panel, a bottom panel and a rear panel oppositely disposed to the front door. At least one of the compartments includes an internal divider that defines a 10 minor tapering compartment having an opening that faces toward the front door and which reduces in height rearwardly of the opening. The hanging rail is positioned below the tapering compartment and rearwardly of the opening of the tapering compartment so that the spacing between the hanging rail 15 relative and the top panel is minimised. Fig. 3 79678701 (GHMatters) P103558.AU 9/08/16 Figures 3 t Fgure2 4 L5 2,/ Z-0 2 l

Description

A LOCKER ASSEMBLY

FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention relates to a locker assembly for storing goods including clothing and other sporting equipment. The locker assembly may be suitable for change rooms at sports or exercise facilities.

BACKGROUND

Lockers for change rooms are typically arranged in banks about the perimeter of the room and have a top deck of storage compartments and a lower deck of storage compartments that extend to the floor. Each storage compartment has internal fittings, such as hanging rails for hanging clothes, shelves for smaller items such as mobile phones and small bags, and a lockable front door for locking the compartment. Larger bags, such as clothing bags or sports bags can be placed on the floor of each compartment. Depending on the available space of the change room, bench seats may be located in the centre of the room. A challenge with most locker assemblies is utilizing all available space for the various items to be stored in a locker.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a locker assembly suitable for a change room, the assembly including: an upper deck having an upper compartment and a lower deck having a lower compartment arranged beneath the upper compartment, each of the compartments having a hanging rail for hanging clothing items, the compartments having a front door, opposite side panels, a top panel, a bottom panel and a rear panel oppositely disposed to the front door; and at least one of the decks includes a divider that in part defines a tapering compartment that reduces in height from an opening having a first height that faces toward the front door to a reduced second height that is located rearwardly of the opening, and wherein the hanging rail is positioned below the tapering compartment and rearwardly of the opening of the tapering compartment so that the spacing between the hanging rail relative and the top panel is minimised.

Although the minor compartment may have any configuration, such as a stepped profile in which the height of the minor compartment changes in intervals or increments, ideally the minor compartment is a wedge shape. The term wedge shape means that the height of the minor compartment changes progressively and continuously.

The divider may be arranged in a declined orientation in a direction toward the front door of the assembly.

Ideally, the divider is an internal divider such that the minor compartment forms part of at least one of the compartments. For example, the minor compartment may be defined between the internal divider and the top panel of the upper compartment. Opposite ends of the minor compartment may also be defined by the opposite side panels of the upper compartment.

In another embodiment, one or more of the minor compartments may form part of either one or both of the upper and lower decks, but without forming part of the upper and lower compartments.

Ideally, the internal divider and the hanging rail are positioned to maximise the hanging space below the hanging rail within the respective compartment. For example, if the divider was arranged horizontally, the hanging rail positioned beneath the divider would provide a reduced spacing between the hanging rail and the bottom panel. However, one possible benefit of arranging the divider in a declined manner and offsetting the hanging rail from the opening of the tapering compartment, is that the hanging rail can be positioned closer to the top wall of the compartment, which in turn either increases the hanging spacing in the compartment, and possibly allows the overall height of the compartment to be reduce if maintaining the same vertical spacing in the compartment is required.

In one embodiment, the hanging rail is located intermediate between the rear panel and the front door. The hanging rail may be directly or indirectly attached to the internal divider. Ideally, the hanging rail may be spaced from the internal divider to allow a clothes hanger to be loaded onto and removed from the hanging rail.

The hanging rail may be located at a height that aligns horizontally with a lowest point of the minor compartment.

One benefit of the tapered minor compartment is that it allows the hanging rail to be located relatively close to the top panel compared to if the internal divider was arranged horizontally, thereby enabling the overall height of the compartment to be reduced while maintaining or increasing the same hanging space within the compartment.

The tapering compartment may be a minor compartment of the respective compartment in which the spacing between the top panel and the internal divider may vary over a height ranging from 120 to 200mm, and suitably from 150 to 170mm.

The depth of the upper and lower compartments, in a direction from front to back of the compartments, may range from 400 to 600mm, and suitably approximately 500mm. The upper and lower compartments may also have any suitable width, for example of 200 to 500mm, and suitably approximately 300mm.

The internal divider may have a lip formation providing a barrier for preventing items from sliding off the internal divider. The lip formation may be located on or adjacent to a lowest most edge of the internal divider. The lip formation may also be spaced from the lowest most edge by a spacing, in which items can be place on top of the lip formation. The lip formation may extend across the width of the internal divider.

In an embodiment, the minor compartment may form part of the upper compartment only. The benefit this can provide is that the overall height the upper compartment can be reduced, thereby making it easier for a user to reach the clothes stored on hangers in the upper compartment.

In an embodiment, the minor compartment may form part of the lower compartment only.

In yet another embodiment, both the upper and lower compartments may have tapering compartments.

In our experience, to allow sufficient space for a user to store a bag on the floor of the compartment and hang clothes above the bag in the compartment, a clearance in the range of 700 to 1100mm between the hanging rail and the bottom panel is required, and suitably a clearance in the range of 800 to 1000mm, and ideally a clearance of approximately 900mm is required.

Each compartment may also have a shelf extending from the rear panel toward the front door, wherein the shelf is arranged so as to be clear of a hanger, or clothes on a hanger, that are suspended from the hanging rail. For example, the internal shelf may be arranged so as to overhang a shoulder of the hanger by an amount in the range of 20 to 100mm when the hanger is in a horizontal orientation.

The shelf may extend less than half the depth of the respective compartment.

The upper and lower decks may be arranged in a column, one above the other with not side over hang.

It also possible at least one of the compartments may have a bottom compartment that is defined between the bottom panel of the compartment(s) and a bottom divider. The bottom compartment may therefore be an internal compartment. Ideally, the bottom compartment has a constant height from back to front, and in other words, the bottom divider is oriented substantially horizontally. Ideally, the compartment having the bottom compartment would not also have the tapered compartment.

The present invention also relates to a locker room including a plurality of the locker assemblies described herein in a line on at least one wall of the locker room.

An alternative embodiment also relates to a locker assembly suitable for a change room, the locker assembly including a compartment having a hanging rail for hanging clothing items, the compartments having a front door, opposite side panels, a top panel, a bottom panel and a rear panel oppositely disposed to the front door, and wherein the compartment includes a divider that in part defines a tapering minor compartment within the compartent that reduces in height from an opening having a first height that faces toward the front door to a reduced second height that is located rearwardly of the opening, and wherein the hanging rail is positioned below the tapering minor compartment and rearwardly of the opening of the tapering minor compartment so that the spacing between the hanging rail relative and the top panel is minimised. This embodiment may also include any one or a combination of the features herein.

An alternative embodiment relates to a locker assembly for a change room, the locker assembly including: an upper compartment and a lower compartment, the compartments having a lockable front door, opposite side panels, a top panel, a bottom panel, a rear panel oppositely disposed to the lockable front door, and a hanging rail therein for hanging clothes; and at least one of the compartments has an internal divider wall that in part defines a minor compartment within the respective compartment for storing items such as shoes, the internal divider of the at least one of the compartment is arranged in a declined orientation so as to descend in a direction from the rear panel to the front door, and wherein the hanging rail is positioned below the minor compartment and rearwardly of the opening thereof so that the spacing between the hanging rail relative and the top panel is minimised, and in turn the spacing between the hanger rail and the bottom panel allows clothing items to be hung from the hanging rail and be spaced from the internal divider to allow a user to add and remove clothing items from the hanger rail.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a locker assembly having front doors in a closed position;

Figure 2 is a front view of the locker assembly in figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A extending depthwise of the locker in figure 1;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the a depthwise cross-section according to an alternative embodiment; and

Figure 5 is a schematic plan view of part of the room in a building having banks of the locker assemblies shown in Figures 1 to 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the accompanying figures, the preferred embodiment relates to a locker assembly 10 including an upper deck 11 including an upper compartment 12 and a lower deck 13 including a lower compartment 14. Each of the compartments 12, 14 have a front door 15 fitted with an appropriate lock 16 and ventilation openings 17, opposite side panels 18, a top panel 19, a bottom panel 20, a rear panel 21 oppositely disposed to the front door 15, and a hanging rail 22 for hanging clothes within the respective compartments 12 and 14. As can be seen, the upper and lower compartments 12, 14 are aligned directly above the other such that the side panels 18 of the compartments 12, 14 are continuous. In addition, the bottom panel 20 of the upper compartment 12 also forms the top panel 19 of the lower compartment.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view from front to back of the locker assembly. The upper compartment 12 includes an internal divider 23 oriented downwardly from the top panel 19 to define a tapered minor compartment 24 between the top panel 19 and the internal divider 23. The tapered minor compartment 24 is a wedge shape that extends between the opposite side panels 18. Specifically, the minor compartment 24 reduces in height from an opening 25 facing toward the front door 15 to a reduced second height at the back or apex of the minor compartment 24. The minor compartment 24 is sized to allow the storage of shoes and other footwear. For example at the opening 25, the internal divider 23 may be spaced from the top panel 19 by a height ranging from 120 to 200mm, and suitably approximately 160mm. Ideally, the internal divider 19 extends upwardly and backwardly from the opening 25 so as to abut the junction between the top panel 19 and the rear panel 21. It is intended that shoes may be located in the minor compartment 24 with the toes of the shoes facing toward the rear panel 21 of the minor compartment 24 and the heels of the shoes facing toward the front door 15. A benefit of the preferred embodiment is that the hanging rail 22 can be raised closer to the top panel 19 compared to a situation in which the internal divider is arranged horizontally and defines a minor compartment having a constant height. In other words, by configuring the minor compartment 24 with a tapered shape, the distance from the hanging rail 22 to the top panel 19 of the compartment can be minimised, which in turn impacts on the available space within the compartment(s) 12 and 14 for hanging clothes and storing bags.

In the case of the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, in which the compartments 12, 14 have a depth of approximately 500mm from front to back, the hanging rail 22 can be positioned approximately in the middle, i.e., approximately 250mm from the front door 15 and the rear panel 21, and the minor compartment 24 has a height of approximately 160mm at the opening 25 thereof, and the height effectively tappers to no height at the rear of the minor compartment 24. In this configuration, the hanging rail 22 may be arranged approximately 160mm below the top panel 19. In other words, by the minor compartment 24 having a tapered shape, this allows the hanging rail 22 can be offset rearwardly from the opening 25 of the minor compartment 24 and at approximately the same height as the minor compartment 24.

Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment in which the minor compartment 24 having a wedge shape is positioned in the upper compartment only. The lower compartment also includes a shoe storage compartment provided by a bottom internal divider 26 spaced at a substantially constant distance from the bottom panel 20 to define a bottom storage compartment 27 for shoes.

To provide an adequate spacing between the hanging rail 22 and the bottom panel 20 for a user to store luggage and hang clothes in the upper compartment 12, we estimate that spacing within the compartment 12, for example between an upper surface of the hanging rail 22 and the bottom panel 19 may be in the range of 850 to 900mm. The wedge shaped minor compartment 24 for storing shoes above the hanging rail, minimizes the spacing between the hanging rail 22 and the top panel 19, and thereby minimizes the overall height of the compartment 12. For example, the upper compartment 12 as shown in Figures 1 to 3 may have an overall height, from the top panel 19 to the bottom panel 20, in the range of 1000 to 1100mm, and suitably 1050mm.

In contrast, the lower compartment 14 of the same embodiment shown in figures 1 to 3, having a bottom storage compartment 27 for storing shoes of substantially constant height of approximately 160mm, will require an overall height of at least 1100mm, and preferably in the range of 1125mm to 1200mm.

In the case of the embodiment of Figure 3, a user can placed their luggage or other bags on top of the bottom internal divider 26 of the lower compartment 14, and on top of the bottom panel 20 of the upper compartment 12.

The compartments 12 and 14 may also have a rear shelf 28 extending outwardly from the rear panel 21. As can be seen in Figure 3, the rear shelf 28 is arranged to extend over a main triangular body portion of a hanger and clear the hanger suspended from the hanging rail 22 by a height in the range of 20 to 30mm.

Figure 2 is a front view of the locker assembly 10 shown in Figures 1 and 3, which shows the front door 15 of the locker assembly. The front door includes a suitable lock 16, such as key pad combination lock and ventilation openings 17.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the locker assembly 10 according to an alternative embodiment on which the same reference numerals have been used to identify the same or substantially the features of the embodiment of figures 1 to 3. The alternative embodiment is substantially the same as the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, save for the lower compartment 14 and the upper compartment 12 both comprise tapered minor compartments 24 defined by an internal dividers 23 oriented to extend downwardly from the back to the front of the locker assembly 10. The minor compartments 24 are sized to allow the storage of shoes and other footwear. For example at the front opening of the minor compartments, the internal divider 23 may be spaced from the top panel 19 by a height ranging from 120 to 200mm, and suitably approximately 160mm.

The upper and lower compartments 12 and 14 of the locker assembly 10 shown in Figure 4 may each have an overall height in the range of 1000 to 1100mm. With the locker assembly 10 having feet 30 of approximately 20 to 30mm in height, the overall total height of the locker assembly 10 may be in the range of 2020 to 2230mm.

As shown in Figure 4, the internal dividers 23 may have a lip 31 extending upwardly from a lower edge of the internal divider 23 to provide a barrier preventing items from falling from the internal divider 23. The internal divider 23 of the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3 may also have a similar lip.

Although not shown in Figures 1 to 4, it is possible that only the lower compartment 14 the locker assembly may be provided with the tapered minor compartment.

The hanging rail 22 may be any suitable rail, including a rod suspended beneath the internal divider on supporting brackets, or a track having carriages running along a rail.

Although not shown in the Figures, it also possible that the hanging rail may be arranged to extend outwardly from the rear panel, rather than between opposite side panels, as in the case of the embodiment of figures 1 to 4.

In addition, the hangers on the rail could be in the form of conventional wire hangers having an upper hook, a stem extending downwardly from the hook and triangular main body defining shoulders for supporting clothing. In another example, the hanger may have an upper hook, a stem extending downwardly from the hook, and a transverse bar having pegs for clipping onto clothing. In yet another example, the hangers have two detachable portions including an eyelet that is operable to slide along the rail and a clip portion have a slot extending downward from the eyelet, and a detachable frame for supporting garments having a pin with an enlarged head, in which the pin can be releasably received by the slot and the head engage the clip portion to secure the detachable frame in position.

Figure 5 is a schematic plane view of change room 33 having banks of the locker assemblies 10 arranged along three walls, and two internal banks of the locker assemblies 10 arranged back-to-back. Bench seats 34 may also be provided in the room 33. A person skilled in the art of the present invention will appreciate that many modifications and variations may be made to the preferred embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

For example, the locker assembly could comprise a single compartment only or a single deck only comprising a major compartment and a minor compartment. This locker assembly could stand on a floor or be mounted above the floor, for example, 1000 to 1200mm above the floor.

Statements 1. A locker assembly suitable for a change room, the assembly including: an upper deck having an upper compartment and a lower deck having a lower compartment arranged beneath the upper compartment, each of the compartments having a hanging rail for hanging clothing items, the compartments having a front door, opposite side panels, a top panel, a bottom panel and a rear panel oppositely disposed to the front door; and at least one of the decks includes a divider that in part defines a tapering compartment that reduces in height from an opening having a first height that faces toward the front door to a reduced second height that is located rearwardly of the opening, and wherein the hanging rail is positioned below the tapering compartment and rearwardly of the opening of the tapering compartment so that the spacing between the hanging rail relative and the top panel is minimised. 2. The locker assembly according to statement 1, wherein the minor compartment is wedge shaped. 3. The locker assembly according to statement 1 or 2, wherein the divider is arranged in a declined orientation in a direction toward the front door of the assembly. 3. The locker assembly according to statement 1 or 2, wherein the divider is an internal divider such that the tapered compartment is a minor tapered compartment that forms part of at least one of the upper and lower compartments. 4. The locker assembly according to any one of statements 1 to 3, wherein the internal divider and the hanging rail are positioned to maximise the hanging space below the hanging rail within the respective compartment. 5. The locker assembly according to any one of statements 1 to 4, wherein the hanging rail is located intermediate between the rear panel and the front door and the hanging rail is located at a height that aligns horizontally with a lowest point of the tapered compartment. 6. The locker assembly according to any one of statements 1 to 5, wherein the tapering compartment is a minor compartment of the respective compartment(s) and the spacing between the top panel and the internal divider varies over a height ranging from 120 to 200mm. 7. The locker assembly according to any one of statements 1 to 6, wherein the internal divider has a lip formation located on, or adjacent to a lowest most edge of the internal divider, the lip formation provides a barrier for preventing items from sliding off the internal divider. 8. The locker assembly according to any one of statements 1 to 7, wherein the tapered compartment forms part of the upper compartment only. 9. The locker assembly according to any one of statements 1 to 7, the tapered compartment forms part of the lower compartment only. 10. The locker assembly according to any one of statements 1 to 7, wherein the upper and lower compartments both have the tapering compartment. 11. The locker assembly according to any one of statements 1 to 10, wherein the or each compartment having the tapered compartment has a clearance in the range of 700 to 1100mm between the hanging rail and the bottom panel, and suitably a clearance in the range of 800 to 1000mm, and ideally a clearance of approximately 900mm is required. 12. The locker assembly according to any one of statements 1 to 11, wherein at least one of the upper compartments and lower compartment includes a shelf extending from the rear panel toward the front door, wherein the shelf is arranged so as to be clear of a hanger, or clothes on a hanger, that are suspended from the hanging rail. 13. The locker assembly according to statement 12, wherein the shelf extends less than half the depth of the respective compartment. 14. The locker assembly according to any one of statements 1 to 13, wherein at least one of the compartments has a bottom compartment that is defined between the bottom panel of the compartment(s) and a bottom divider, in which the bottom divider is oriented substantially horizontally. 15. The locker assembly according to statement 14, wherein the compartment having the bottom compartment does not have the tapered compartment. 16. A locker assembly for storing clothes, the locker assembly including a compartment having a hanging rail for hanging clothing items, the compartments having a front door, opposite side panels, a top panel, a bottom panel and a rear panel oppositely disposed to the front door, and wherein the compartment includes a divider that in part defines a tapering minor compartment within the compartent that reduces in height from an opening having a first height that faces toward the front door to a reduced second height that is located rearwardly of the opening, and wherein the hanging rail is positioned below the tapering minor compartment and rearwardly of the opening of the tapering minor compartment so that the spacing between the hanging rail relative and the top panel is minimised. 17. A locker room in which users can store clothes, the locker room including a plurality of the locker assemblies according to any one of statements 1 to 15 arranged in a continuous line on at least one wall of the locker room.

Claims

1. A locker assembly suitable for a change room, the assembly including: an upper deck having an upper compartment and a lower deck having a lower compartment arranged beneath the upper compartment, each of the compartments having a hanging rail for hanging clothing items, the compartments having a front door, opposite side panels, a top panel, a bottom panel and a rear panel oppositely disposed to the front door; and at least one of the decks includes a divider that in part defines a tapering compartment that reduces in height from an opening having a first height that faces toward the front door to a reduced second height that is located rearwardly of the opening, and wherein the hanging rail is positioned below the tapering compartment and rearwardly of the opening of the tapering compartment so that the spacing between the hanging rail relative and the top panel is minimised.

2. The locker assembly according to claim 1, wherein the minor compartment is wedge shaped.

3. The locker assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the divider is arranged in a declined orientation in a direction toward the front door of the assembly.

3. The locker assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the divider is an internal divider such that the tapered compartment is a minor tapered compartment that forms part of at least one of the upper and lower compartments.

4. A locker assembly for storing clothes, the locker assembly including a compartment having a hanging rail for hanging clothing items, the compartments having a front door, opposite side panels, a top panel, a bottom panel and a rear panel oppositely disposed to the front door, and wherein the compartment includes a divider that in part defines a tapering minor compartment within the compartent that reduces in height from an opening having a first height that faces toward the front door to a reduced second height that is located rearwardly of the opening, and wherein the hanging rail is positioned below the tapering minor compartment and rearwardly of the opening of the tapering minor compartment so that the spacing between the hanging rail relative and the top panel is minimised.

5. A locker room in which users can store clothes, the locker room including a plurality of the locker assemblies according to any one of statements 1 to 4 arranged in a continuous line on at least one wall of the locker room.