GB2450183A - Gravity operated self sorting storage rack - Google Patents

Abstract

A self-sorting rack for storing uniformly shaped and sized objects, which may be for compact discs, CDs. The structure consists of two parallel frames set upon one base. Each frame houses mechanisms that together support items suspended between both frames or otherwise enables the items to drop one at a time. Three alternative designs are shown. The first two employ the use of rotors fitted to spindles in the frame. The third method employs helical coils (helixes) mounted axially in the vertical within the frames to achieve the same self-sorting objective. In the first two designs each spindle includes a number of drum and rotors fitted axially along the spindles length. Each rotor has either two curved vanes or an arm and a rail (depending upon one of the two designs given). Typically there will be up to 60 spindles to each of two parallel frames fitted rigidly to a base enabling the storage of up to 60 items. The vanes act as rails which support stored items. These spindle/drum/rotor/vanes can rotate to allow items to pass vertically between the rotors in both frames. The racking may be constructed of a lightweight material such as perspex.

Description

Page 1 PATENT APPLICATION: A self-sorting storage rack.

For robust regular sized objects such as DVD and CD cases.

The ShadRack Purpose The rack is used to store items (in a vertical arrangement) for use and re-use and will (unless the action is inhibited) ensure that empty storage spaces (voids) in the rack are filled by items stored above such that the empty space is effectively transposed to the top of the rack.

This process is known as a bubble sort' technique. The ShadRaék will: o detect when a position beneath any stored item is empty; o allow the item above an empty space to drop into and fill that empty space (unless a peg is inserted to prohibit the action) After a period of time and usage and because removed items will generally be re-inserted at the top of the rack, frequently used items will tend to fill the top-most positions, least-frequently used items will occupy the lowest positions. A peg may be used to inhibit movement above the point at which it is inserted. The rack will also make it easier to locate infrequently used items (e.g. CD cases) and reduce the need to bend or stoop in the search for items (e.g. CDs) except for the least frequently used items.

Examples of such objects (hereafter referred to as item' or items') include Compact Disc (CD) and Digitally Versatile Disc (DVD) cases and Video Cassettes and these are the examples used throughout this patent application.

Background

At present, most homes utilise a rack for holding CDs and video cassettes. However, the typical CD tower' holds 60 units and may be 1.5m tall and so stands upon the floor. When the user searches for a CD they have not used for some time they will not be able to recall its exact location and so will have to search through all 60 storage positions until they find the item they are looking for.

To search the storage positions at the bottom of the rack one has to get down on one's knees at floor level. This is both irritating and difficult for people with certain disabilities. Page2

In the case of the ShadRack, items used recently will be found in the higher most accessible storage positions and so the ShadRack reduces the need to search the bottom positions as only the most infrequently used items will be found in those locations and this is known before a search.

Page 3

Description

Refer to page 8 to 10 for key to figures The structure consists of two parallel frames set upon one base, each frame holding in a vertical arrangement multiple mechanisms (one per storage space) with which to support items between the frames OR if an empty space exists in the storage position below the action has not been deliberately inhibited, will allow the items to drop into the storage position below. The ShadRack is constructed of a light rigid material, e.g. Perspex, aluminium. Other materials may be used to alter the cosmetic appearance.

Four methods for a mechanism to accomplish the desired result (a sorting that places least frequently used items at the bottom, most frequently used at the top) are illustrated.

In all four mechanisms the rack will (unless the action is inhibited) ensure that empty spaces are filled by items above such that the empty space is effectively transposed to the top of the rack -see Figure D to see the bubble-sort movement illustrated. The result of this action is that used items are typically returned by the user to the empty location(s) at the top. Over time least-frequently used items descend to the bottom of the rack, and most-frequently used items will tend to be found near the top of the rack. Examples of such objects (hereafter referred to as item' or items') include Compact Disc (CD) and Digitally Versatile Disc (DVD) cases, Video Cassettes.

The first three methods use spindles fitted laterally front-to-back to support items.

The first method is the most basic of mechanisms and will not give a smooth movement, but serves to illustrate the action.

Basic method As described above, a tower consisting of two parallel frames which house spindles which reach front to back for each storage position, see Fig A, and supporting items one above the other.

On each spindle is an assembly which consists of an arm, a pivoted leg and a counterweight, see Fig B. The arm reaches into the structure to support items between the frames. Fitted beneath each arm by a pivot is a leg. The leg reaches down to and makes contact with the item stored below. The leg is a trapezoid which tends to one position when it is supporting an item.

When an item below a leg is removed, the leg and spindle assembly it is connected to are free to rotate clockwise which they do under the pressure exerted by the item above, Fig B.2. As soon as the item has passed, the counterweight returns the assembly to a position where it is able to intervene before another item from above drops before it. The leg is pivoted so that in the Page 4 anticlockwise motion flings the leg out. The leg comes to rest on the item below and so arrests the motion of the item falling above it, Fig B.3 The second and third methods employ rotors fitted to spindles to support each item and are given to better illustrate the overall function using rotors to give a smoother motion.

Fitted directly along each spindle are extensions depending on the mechanism, either two curved vanes or an arm and a rail.

The rotors on each spindle: * Hold an item in position (between the two parallel spindle/rotor on each side of the structure); * If free to rotate, the rotors will rotate to allow the once supported item to drop under its own weight and the force of gravity (unless action is prohibited by a stop peg).

A third mechanism is also illustrated which utilises multiple helixes mounted in four columns.

Two Methods Using Rotors A tower consisting of two parallel frames which house spindles which reach front to back for each storage position. The spindles which carry rotors extend from the front to the back of each frame. Two pairs of spindles in-line per storage position per frame (see Fig C) ensure that the full dropping action is not permitted until any item is fully withdrawn from the rack.

If the ROCIUNG rotor method (Ref Fig E) is used the arni and rail on the rotor have the following functions: * The rocking' mechanism employs rotors which move back and forth to alternately clear and then obstruct the passage of an item.

* When an item rests on the rail of a rotor, the rail has no other function but to support the item, FigE.l; * When an item is removed, the spindle/rotor above is free to rotate so the item it supported drops, Fig E.2; * The arm on the same rotor moves in the opposite direction by an equal angular movement. It is then in a position to oppose the rotation of the rotor above, Fig E.2.

Page 5 * When the dropping CD is fully past the rotor the rotor will return to its original position ready to support a CD from above, Fig E.3.

If a ROTATING rotor method is used, the rotor has two functions: * The Rotate' Mechanism employs vanes on rotors as rails to support the items stored and these rotors require to turn 180 for each pass of an item, Fig F. 1; * The rotors on successive spindles are displaced and interleave with the rotors above and below to allow clearance for rotation, see Fig G; * When an item rests on the vane of a rotor, the vane has no other function but to support it, Fig F.2; * When the item is removed, the spindle/rotor above is free to rotate, Fig F.3. The opposite vane on the same rotor rotates in the opposite direction by an equal angular movement. It is then in a position to intercede beneath the item above.

* When the dropping CD is fully past the rotor the rotor will present its other vane ready to support a CD from above, Fig F.4.

In both methods, a knuckle joint may be fitted to the vanes or rail to ensure it passes freely by any item.

Method Usiiw Helixs In the case of the third design; four helixes (Archimedes screws); are assembled vertically for each storage position. When the helix is free to turn due to the removal of an item below, it turns and allows the item above to pass as in the famous principle of the Archimedes screw.

The helixes have a pitch equivalent to the distance equal to the depth of an item and the space that separates items, see Fig I dimension A. Four such helix in the same horizontal plane for each storage position support each item in the rack, see Fig H. The edge of an item rests between the edges of two helixes mounted one above the other, supported at a point of contact between the item and the helix's edge, see Fig 1(2). These are free to rotate when a space exists in the storage position below. When free to rotate they turn and allow any object resting in them to drop. The presence of an item below effectively locks the freedom of the helixes involved to turn; as a tab on the bottom of each helix acts to stop movement. The action of removing an item gives the helixes that supported it the freedom to turn, thus allowing helixes above to turn.

Because the action begins at the rear when a item is withdrawn, full dropping action does not take place until an item is fully withdrawn from the rack. Page

DIAGRAMS

Fig A: Arrangement of spindles using Arms Page: 11 Fig C: Arrangement of spindles using rotors Page: 13 I. stored item e.g. CD case 2,3. two spindles in line, front to back, mounted in a frame to support the item on the right side 4,5. two spindles in line, front to back, mounted in a frame to support the item on the left side 6-frame 7-Arm fitted to spindle, see also Fig B. S -Two rotors per spindle, see also Figures Fig B: Basic Method Page: 12 Figure notes: Fig B.l 1 and 2-Item at rest e.g. CD case 3 spindle Integrated assembly (one piece) on the spindle is mounted: 4-counterweight, 5-arm, 6-leg pivot, 7-leg Fig B.2 8-item 2 has been removed creating a void 9-leg (7) that was resting on item (2) is free to turn clockwise under pressure of weight of item (1) 10-Item (1) drops 11 Item (1) comes to rest on a lower spindle assembly which is prevented from movement, see 12.

13-No longer supporting the weight of any item the spindle assembly turns anti-clockwise by force of the counter-weight (4) 14-arm is returned rapidly to intervene before the next item 15-As the leg is pivoted it is not restricted from passing by (11). The leg adopts a position as in 12.

Fig D: Sorting Principle (using rocking rotors) Page: 14 Figure notes: I.! to 1.10 = Items I to 10 1 -all items shown at rest 2-Item 5 removed, rotors turn and allow item 4 to drop. Item 4 takes the place once occupied by item 5 3 -Item 1 to 4 all drop to fill spaces below their original positions 4-base -rotor (one of a pair for each item storage position).

6-Item 5 is removed creating space (void) 5 (label 10), allowing the rotors above freedom to turn under their own weight distribution and opening wide enough to allow item 4 above to drop.

7-as item 4 drops creating space (void) 4 (label 11), it forces the rotors it passes to turn more, the upper arm blocks premature turning of rotor above Page 7 8-replacement process repeats for all items above the item removed (unless a stop peg (not shown) is inserted to stop the process) 9-items below the removed item are unaffected -space (void) 5 11 -space (void) 4 Fig E: Detailed Action of Rotor -Rocking Mechanism Page: 15 Figure notes: Fi E. 1 A,B,C,D -four CDs X,Y,Z -three rotors 1 -upper arm of rotor 2 -rotor is mounted on a spindle 3 -rail of rotor with knuckle joint 4-bottom stop Fig E.2 CD C' is removed 5-rotor Y is freed to turn, CD B' is enabled to pass 6-rotor Y turns, arm blocks movement of rotor above and does not allow Cl) A' to move.

Fig E.3 7-CD B' comes to rest on the rail below 8-After CB B' has passed the rotor is able to return to its previous position, the knuckle joint allows the rail on its return to clear CD B' 9-At the same time the arm of rotor Y' moves and ceases to block the rotor above Fig E. 4 10-Rotor X is free to rotate and as it does it allows CD A' to pass Fig F: Rotating Mechanism-Sorting Action Page: 16 Figure notes: Fig F.! I -spindle 2-drum 3-vane 4-spaces between rotors allow free passage of vanes on rotors immediately above and below X, Y, Z -three vertically mounted rotors 5-rotor plan view, one of. Will be mounted 2 in line and paired with an identical arrangement to support one CD (see also Fig A).

Fig F.2 4 CDs (A, B, C, D) are supported by three rotors X, Y, Z. Fig CD C' is removed Rotor Y is free to move. Its lower arm removes its support to CD B. Both arms on rotor Y are free to pass by rotors X and Z because the arms of one rotor arc offset from the rotors above and below (see also Fig E) Fig F.4 CB B' has dropped to rest upon the lower arm of rotor Z Rotor Y has turned and an arm has intervened beneath CD A' CD A' will drop until the arm on which it rests stops when it comes into contact with CD B' Page Fig G: Vertical arrangement of spindles Page: 17 Figure notes: DrumJrotor/vanes (X, Y, Z) are lined up so that each is free to rotate fully without making contact with the spindle/drum/rotor/vane above and below it. That is the vanes on spindles when assembled are inter-leaved'.

Fig H: Helix Mechanism Page: 18 Figure notes: Shows the positioning of the helix columns upon a base to support items. 1.CD

2. point of contact between item and helix.

3. one of 4 columns of independent helixs, each with pitch equal to item height+space (A) 4. base Fig I: Helix (one of four per storage position) supporting Items Page: 19 Figure notes: Shows how a screw uses the Archimedes principle to support items and to allow the item to drop when an item below has been removed thus allowing the helixes on which it rested, to turn.

1 -CDs 2-one helix 3-stop tab

Claims (3)

1. Page q Claims 1. A self-sorting storage rack constructed of two

   vertical frames fitted to a base, each frame holding multiple mechanisms (one per storage space), corresponding mechanisms of each side to support items, one above each other, between the frames. The mechanisms can remove support to the item so that the supported item can fall between them down to the next storage space if empty.
2. 2. A self-sorting storage rack that holds and manages (sorts) items according to the frequency of their use i.e. how often they are removed and returned to the rack and thus increases accessibility of frequently-used items. The sorting takes place over a period of usage, low frequency used items descend to the bottom, high frequency items used being returned to the top, using gravity as the source of energy. This rack is a dispenser, dispensers typically only deliver items, the rack in this application stores items for use and re-use and sorts them according to frequency of usage.
3. 3. As unnecessary searches at floor level will be negated, this product will be of special value to people who have any disability which makes bending or stooping difficult or

   uncomfortable.

   3. Users will have less cause to bend, stoop or grovel on the floor level unnecessarily as with existing tower' racks because searches at the most inaccessible (lower) end of the rack will only be undertaken for what will be known to be infrequently used items.

   4. Each item removed leads to a chain reaction of movement (unless the stop peg is used) which leaves the empty space(s) at the top. This action is a novelty which will entertain users.

   5. Though the example given is for CD/DVD cases, the system will work for the storage of any robust regular shaped object.

   Unique Benefits 1. Unlike conventional racks the rack described can keep frequently used and recently used items (CD5 and DVDs in this example) near the top of the rack,where they can easily be found and are likely to be most accessible. Less frequently used and long since used items descend over time to the bottom of the rack. This is a unique mechanical application of the bubble sort' principle for sorting. It is also planned to link electronic switches or mechanical plucks to some versions so that a melody or pleasant sound is played whilst the chain reaction is in process.

   2. Users will not have to stoop or grovel on the floor unnecessarily, unsure if they will find the item they seek. They will begin their search for recently used items at the top of the stack. They will begin their search for items not used for a long time near the bottom of the stack.