ES2370333A1 - Storage system for overhead spaces - Google Patents

Abstract

A description is given of a storage system for overhead spaces, which comprises an upward and downward housing (20), a platform in contact with the housing a framework (40) a cable (50) with upward and downward movement together with the upper wall (22) of the housing (20) in order to cause the latter to ascend and descend at least one telescopic post (60) that has a lower end (61) mounted on the platform (30), and an upper end (62) mounted on the framework (40) and means for extending and retracting the cable such that the means cause the housing (20) to descend and to ascend from a storage position in the overhead space (11) to a lower position in which a user has access to the contents of the housing (20), and vice versa.

Description

Storage system for spaces superior.

Field of the Invention

The present invention is related to techniques used in the design and manufacture of cabinets, file cabinets, closets, cabinets and other storage furniture and, more particularly, it is related to a system of storage for upper spaces, such as ceilings, decks, attics, etc. which are generally free spaces in houses, offices, workshops and other premises. The system is essentially hidden when not used and allows to reorder the place where it is installed.

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Background of the invention

Given the growing need to take advantage of the more space available in homes, offices, workshops and other premises, in the prior art some have been developed solutions to either lift objects to a higher space while are not occupied or give utility to the space between the roof and the descent of it.

For example, in U.S. Pat. 5 667 035 se describes a platform lift system, which is elevated through poles within which there are cables that are moved by an engine This system lacks storage accommodations items in order to keep them safe from dust and prevent Slip or fall, you can properly say that it is a system of elevation rather than storage.

In U.S. Patent 6 131 702, also describes a lifting system that allows lifting loads between a floor and other, lacking accommodations to keep the load.

A lifting and storage system is described in U.S. Pat. 7 416 055, on which a platform rectangular is directly raised by connected motors and cables to the corners of the platform, this system also does not provide accommodation to store items or objects in order to Keep them out of dust and prevent them from falling.

Speaking specifically of devices of storage that rise, you can mention that disclosed in U.S. Pat. 6 250 728 where a hanging closet is described which is operated manually, this closet is retractable and, due to precisely to its form of drive, a user must be placed in a chair to operate it, so it is not appreciated that this Closet is given a constant and daily use, just remember that there are everyday objects such as exercise equipment.

Another storage system is described in the U.S. document 7 513 580 in which the cabinet is stored so horizontal on the roof and the system descends it and takes it to a vertical position to be able to use it. The closet has connections for electricity, water, etc. which makes it a system complex to build and use extensively in homes, offices, where the needs of storing objects and items are not so complex but constant.

In summary, in the prior art the most used is raise and lower a platform on which you can place a closet or cabinet, but does not consider providing a whole system that can efficiently cover the desired top space take advantage, particularly prior art systems only they consider a single closet or closet that rises so there are really few items that can be stored, besides requires easy drive solutions for day use with day.

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Summary of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a storage system for higher spaces, such as attics, roofs, roofs, etc. that are usually found wasted in houses, offices, workshops, warehouses or others local human activity.

To achieve this goal, the system of present invention comprises at least one downward housing and ascending that has a lower wall and an upper wall. In the system, a platform in contact with the wall is provided bottom of the accommodation so that when it is in the upper space is hidden. To support the weight of the housing a cable is provided with upward and downward movement and that is solidarity to the upper wall of the housing.

Also, to support and mount the elements of the system, this comprises a framework; in which, the cable is found supported in order to raise and lower the accommodation to which it is attached. The frame is anchored in the upper space where the system is installed, for example, the frame can be anchored directly to the ceiling or walls that surrounds, for example, the frame can be anchored on the beams Masters of the walls of a building.

To guide the upward movement and descending housing is provided at least a couple of posts telescopic, each having a lower end that is located mounted to the platform, and an upper end that is located mounted to the frame; the posts allow to give stability to the platform to avoid unwanted lateral movements of the accommodation when ascending or descending.

Finally, the system comprises means for extend and pick up the cable, so that the housing descend and ascend from a position stored in space upper to a lower position where a user has access to the content of the accommodation. Said means may consist of a motor and reducer assembly that move an axis on which they find mounted a reel that collects the cable from the housing When it rises.

In an embodiment of the invention, when includes more than one accommodation, the system additionally comprises a housing selector that allows you to choose the accommodation that You want to ascend or descend. In said embodiment, it is preferred order the accommodations in rows to partially or fully cover the length and / or width of the upper space where the system is installed, with which a user would think that it is only about a false ceiling composed of soffits and not of a system of storage when looking up. Also, the system can be mounted only in a portion of the upper space while the remaining portion retains its original state.

Among, the advantages that are achieved through the The following invention can be mentioned: it is a system Storage for any type of product or item taking advantage of the available space that generally exists in the lowering or false ceiling or high of any house, office, workshop or other premises, and even allows different use of the same premises. Be achieves sound insulation of the space where the system is mounted and it is easy to reach tall objects. It also achieves cleaning and order of the premises.

In a further embodiment, the system it comprises an acoustic insulator provided on the platform of each housing and / or a lighting system mounted on said platform that contacts the accommodation, the platform is the only one visible part when the accommodation is in space higher.

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Brief description of the figures

To complement the description that is being performing and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred example of practical realization of it, is accompanied as an integral part of this description, a set of drawings, where with character Illustrative and not limiting, the following has been represented:

Figure 1 is a perspective view that shows a bedroom using technical floor furniture Previous to save objects and items.

Figure 2 shows the bedroom of Figure 1 once the system is installed in it storage built in accordance with one embodiment preference of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a top perspective view. of the storage system built in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 shows one of the housings and their platform used in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 shows a side view of one of the telescopic poles used in the present system invention.

Figure 6 shows the basic unit of parts used in the framework of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 7 shows a view of the assembly of motor, reducer, shaft and clutch used to extend and retract the wire.

Figure 8 shows an enlarged view of two seizures and reels shown in figure 7.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of one of the clutches

Figure 10 is a perspective view of one of the reels used to collect the cable used to Ascend or descend an accommodation.

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Detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention

In order to contextualize the application of the present invention, reference is made to figure 1, in it shows a conventional bedroom 1 showing the prior art to store objects and items using floor furniture or wall such as file cabinet 2 and closet 3 that occupy a important space on the floor of the same bedroom 1 causing It looks very small and uncomfortable, while the upper space 11, in this case the roof remains a space substantially Available to be taken advantage of.

Now, reference is made to Figure 2, where a storage system 10 constructed in accordance is shown with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein, in the upper space 11 of the bedroom 1, it is installed the storage system 10 comprising a plurality of housings 20 that ascend and descend, so that they cover the upper space 11 to its full length and width. As observed in figure 2, the entire bedroom 1 as a whole looks more orderly and with greater amplitude with respect to figure 1.

The storage system 10 in its Preferred embodiment can be explained from Figure 3, where a plurality of accommodations 20 are observed, each has a bottom wall 21 and a top wall 22. Each housing 20 is in contact by its bottom wall with a platform 30, while a cable 50 is integral with its upper wall 22 to bear the weight of it and make it ascend and descend.

To mount and support the system elements 10, a frame 40 consisting essentially of beams 41 and crossbars 42 that connect the beams 41 and are mounted above them; for this embodiment the beams 41 are mounted to the walls of the upper space, for example, in the case of a building, beams 41 they are mounted on the building's main beams, but depending on installation needs can be mounted directly on the roof by screws, brackets, welding, or others well-known mounting means.

More particularly, it can be mentioned that the cable 50 is also supported by the frame 40, for this it deals a pulley 43 mounted on a crossbar 42, in said pulley 43 the cable 50 rests and changes from a horizontal direction to a position vertical to raise and descend to the accommodation 20.

To guide the upward movement or descending from each housing 20, telescopic poles are provided 60, two poles are preferably provided for each housing, each post 60 has a lower end 61 that is it is mounted to platform 30, and an upper end 62 that it is mounted to the frame 40, in particular and preferred, the posts 60 are connected to the crossbar 42 which is by above accommodation 20 to which they lead.

In the embodiment described, it is also they provide means 70 to extend and collect the cable 50, achieving that accommodation 20 descend and ascend from a position of stored in the upper space 11 to a lower position where a user has access to the content of the accommodation 20, which can perceive in the front and center of figure 3 where one of the accommodations has descended.

Now each of the elements will be described which form the preferred embodiment of the present invention, for this refers to figure 4 which shows one of the housings 20, which has a parallelepiped shape, others forms are also possible for the same as a form circular or cylindrical, so that being in the upper space where the system is installed a housing is located immediately next to other accommodation. Inside the housing 20, it they store the objects they want to keep, the front wall 23 is It is provided with doors 25, but also on the wall later 24 more doors can be provided which achieves have easy access to the interior of the housing to prevent objects fall out or get dirty with dust. The accommodation can have different dimensions and the distribution they have in their Interior is varied, depending on what you want to store.

The bottom wall 21 of the housing 20 is is in contact by platform 30 that can be flat, curved, tilted, etc., preferably flat and has a pair of lateral sides 31, in each of them, the lower end 61 of one of the telescopic posts. The platform 30 serves at the same time as a beautifier, and if necessary, the platform 30 includes some lighting system, sensors proximity to detect if there is an object underneath and stop the system, platform 30 may also be provided with insulation acoustic, air conditioning, climate control, etc., platforms 30 they are the visible part when the module is in space superior, and its essential objective is to cover the upper space for keep the accommodations hidden.

Now, reference is made to Figure 5, for describe one of the posts 60, which has a lower end 61 where a lower mounting base 63 is provided that joins the platform, while at its upper end 62 is a upper mounting base 64 that joins the frame. Each post 60 it comprises a plurality of telescopic sections 65, whose number will be based on the height of the upper space, the sections telescopic 65 are introduced into each other when the accommodation, so that when the module is above each pole is contracted and when it is down, however, the pole is expand For each module, it is preferred to provide a pair of posts each one attached to the platform on one of its lateral sides.

As mentioned, the role of posts is to direct the trajectory of the accommodation when ascending or descend, the posts provide balance to the movement avoiding that the module moves sideways, it is important to note that the posts do not support the weight of the housing or the platform, as is usually done in the prior art, this work does essentially the cable.

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One of the most important parts of the system is the frame 40 which can be described from figure 6, the framework consists of repetitive units consisting of a pair of beams 41, each separated laterally from the other; crossbars 42 connecting the pair of beams 41 at their top and are supported by them. As mentioned, in said crossbar 42 it is preferred to connect the upper end of the posts of each accommodation; and, where pulley 43 is also located in where the cable is supported to raise and lower the accommodation.

The essential function of the frame 40 is to hold and hold the elements of the storage system and retain them in the upper space. The beams 41 are preferably steel, with cross section in the form of "H" whose function is to anchor at the desired height all system elements by screws or other mounting means, the beams are attached to the vertical walls of the premises and / or the ceiling of the same and support all The weight of the storage system.

On the other hand, the crossbars 42 are preferably rectangular steel plates that are supported over the top of the beams. The crossbars 42 are used essentially for fastening the posts and mounting the pulley 43.

In another order of ideas, to ascend or lower the housings, the system of the present invention comprises means for extending and picking up the cable, said means are those responsible for giving vertical movement to the accommodations and used to not have to do it manually as in art previous.

With the support of figures 7 to 10 you can mention that for the embodiment described said means 70 they comprise a motor 71; a coupled speed reducer 72 operatively to motor 71; a shaft 73 mounted at the exit of the reducer 72; and at least one reel 74 mounted on the axis 73 and where the cable 50 of one of the housings is wound when the Reel 74 is moved by the axis 73. Motor 71, the gear reducer speed 72 and axis 73 are mounted to one of the crossbars 42 of the frame 40. The motor 74 is fed directly by the local electric current or be powered by a battery in itself is said electric current.

Whenever in the embodiment described more than one accommodation is provided, the system additionally comprises a housing selector that allows you to choose the accommodation that You want to ascend or descend. Said selector comprises a clutch 81 mounted on axis 73 and to which the cable reel of one of the housings to move only one to the time

Motor 71 is the one that transforms energy electrical in mechanical energy to perform the work. Their characteristics depend on the type of load the housing has. For its part, reducer 72 causes the ascent rate or accommodation decline be slow for security reasons, it prefer to use a worm type reducer that changes the direction of movement provided by the motor at 90º in order to move the axis 73.

With respect to axis 73, this is the element that it is used as support for clutches 81 and reels 74, transmitting the rotary movement of the reducer to the clutch. its function is to connect the axis with the reel of the desired module start.

Thus, the operation of the means to picking up and extending the cable is simple, the reels 74 are initially disconnected, and when clutch 81 is operated it transmits the rotating movement to a reel. Clutches They also have their own built-in brake. The brake acts when the element is disengaged. The cable used in the embodiment that described is a steel cable.

In general, it can be mentioned that, one of the benefits of the present invention that can be obtained in housing, is to take advantage of the descent of the roofs that are performed in homes for greater thermal use. That space between the original roof and the false ceiling is what serves to install the frame achieving greater thermal utilization, acoustic and a space to store any type of elements from clothes, toys, blankets, books, bed, which can be removed some traditional closet of the house giving a greater amplitude to the housing, better use of the floor, and even the possibility of giving various uses to the premises (day gym, bedroom at night).

Starting from the same idea of the location of the housing, companies can be given better performance to The offices. Deleting filing cabinets and cabinets that would be occupying room on the useful floor of the office, taking them to the ceiling, the system allows more workers to work in an office where the system has been installed, giving a feeling nice.

Taking advantage of the height of the workshops, the system can serve to better organize the tools of work. It can be a support for areas that do not have any storage structure placed. Another possibility is to place the accommodations in the same workplace. In this way the Operator does not waste valuable time going to the warehouse in search of spare parts or tools. In conclusion the production cut time.

In view of this description and game of figures, the expert in the field may understand that the Embodiments of the invention that have been described may be combined in multiple ways within the object of the invention.

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Reference List

one

Bedroom

2

Bookcase

3

Wardrobe

10

Storage System

eleven

Upper space

twenty

accommodation

twenty-one

Bottom wall

22

Upper wall

2. 3

Front wall

24

Back wall

25

Doors

30

Platform

31

Platform sides

40

Frame

41

Beams

42

Crossbar

43

Pulley

fifty

Cable

60

Poles

61

Lower end

62

Upper end

63

Bottom mounting base

64

Top mounting base

65

Telescopic Pole Sections

70

Means for extending and picking up the cable

71

Engine

72

Reducer

73

Axis

74

Reel

81

Clutch

Claims (14)

1. Storage system (10) for upper spaces (11), characterized in that it comprises:

to)

at least one accommodation (20) ascending and descending that has a lower wall (21) and an upper wall (22);

b)

a platform (30) in contact with the wall lower (21) of the housing (20);

C)

a frame (40);

d)

a cable (50) with upward movement and descending solidary to the upper wall (22) of the housing (20) in order to make it ascend and descend; the cable (50) being supported on the frame (40);

and)

a pair of telescopic poles (60), each having a lower end (61) that is mounted to the platform (30), and an upper end (62) that is mounted to the frame (40); Y,

F)

means for extending and picking up the cable, such so that the housing (20) descends and ascends from a storage position in the upper space (11) to a position bottom where a user has access to the content of the accommodation (twenty).

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2. Storage system for upper spaces, according to claim 1, characterized in that, when more than one housing is included, the system additionally comprises a housing selector that allows choosing the accommodation to be promoted or descended. 3. Storage system for upper spaces, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the frame (40) comprises:

i.

at least one pair of beams (41), each separated laterally of the other;

ii.

at least one crossbar (42) connecting the pair of beams (41), wherein the upper end (62) of said posts (60) it is connected to the crossbar (42); Y,

iii.

a pulley (43) mounted to the crossbar (42) where the cable (50) is received to raise and lower the accommodation (20).

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4. Storage system for higher spaces, according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the means for extending and collecting the cable comprise:

i)

a motor (71);

ii)

a speed reducer (72) coupled operationally to the engine (71);

iii)

a shaft (73) mounted to the reducer (72); Y

iv)

a reel (74) mounted on the axle (73) and where the cable (50) is wound when the reel is moved by the shaft to raise the accommodation (20).

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5. Storage system for upper spaces, according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the selector comprises a clutch (81) mounted on the shaft (73) and to which the cable reel of one of the cables is selectively connected accommodation to move only one accommodation at a time. 6. Storage system for higher spaces, according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the motor is powered by a battery. 7. Storage system for upper spaces, according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the platform is flat, curved or tilted. 8. Storage system for upper spaces, according to claim 7, characterized in that the platform is flat and with a pair of lateral sides (31), in each of them, the lower end (61) of each of them being mounted telescopic poles.

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9. Storage system for upper spaces, according to claim 2, characterized in that when more than one accommodation is provided, the accommodation is arranged in rows to partially or totally cover the length and / or width of the upper space where the system is installed. . 10. Storage system for higher spaces, according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the platform additionally includes an acoustic insulator. 11. Storage system for higher spaces, according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the platform additionally includes a lighting system. 12. Storage system for higher spaces, according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the platform additionally includes a proximity sensor which stops the system itself detects an object below. 13. Storage system for upper spaces, according to any of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the housing includes a front wall (23) provided with doors (25). 14. Storage system for upper spaces, according to any of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the housing includes a rear wall (24) provided with doors (25).