US20170295955A1

US20170295955A1 - Easy reach basket carousel

Info

Publication number: US20170295955A1
Application number: US15/477,674
Authority: US
Inventors: Valerie Huntington
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-04-13
Filing date: 2017-04-03
Publication date: 2017-10-19

Abstract

An easy reach basket carousel is disclosed. An example of the easy reach basket carousel includes a drive mechanism and a follower mechanism. The easy reach basket carousel also includes a belt extending between the drive mechanism and the follower mechanism. The easy reach basket carousel also includes a plurality of rods configurable by an end-user at various locations in the belt. The plurality of rods may be spaced apart from one another and extend from the housing to receive one or more basket thereon. The rods are movable by the drive mechanism.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/321,863 titled “Easy Reach Basket Carousel” of Valerie Huntington, hereby incorporated by reference for all that it discloses as though fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

Closet and other organizers are becoming more popular to help people store and organize their many things. Such organizers are typically shelves, containers (e.g., baskets or bins) on the floor or shelf, or some combination of these. Various sizes and configurations of shelves and containers are commercially available to fit a variety of spaces, both large and small. However, these organizers typically do not do a good job of providing the user with ready access to anything stored in the container or on the shelf. This is particularly an issue for small children and those who are wheelchair-bound or otherwise handicapped and can't readily reach the shelf or container. Indeed, this can be an issue for anyone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an example easy reach basket carousel.

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of an example easy reach basket carousel with a basket in a vertical configuration.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an example easy reach basket carousel.

FIG. 3 shows an example easy reach basket carousel in a horizontal configuration.

FIGS. 4A-B illustrate operation of a lock mechanism of an example easy reach basket carousel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An easy reach basket carousel is disclosed herein. An example easy reach basket carousel includes a drive mechanism and a follower mechanism. A belt extends between the drive mechanism and the follower mechanism. A plurality of rods are configurable by an end-user at various locations in the belt. The rods may be spaced apart from one another and extend from the housing to receive one or more basket thereon. The baskets (e.g., containers) can be used to hold items such as scarves, socks, other clothing items, and/or other articles. The plurality of rods are movable by the drive mechanism so that the baskets come down lower and/or out from behind the back of the closet so that the baskets can be easily reached by the user.
In an example, the easy reach basket carousel includes a housing. The housing may have a back mount with the drive mechanism rotatably mounted thereon. The back mount may be configured for mounting to a wall or other surface. The housing may also include a front cover to enclose the drive mechanism in the housing. The housing may also have an edge cover for a belt. The edge cover may include a brush or other covering of the belt that enables the rods to extend therethrough and to move about a channel formed between the edge cover and the front cover.
In an example, the easy reach basket carousel may also include a lock mechanism operable between a locked position and an unlocked position to prevent movement of the plurality of rods in the locked position, and to enable movement of the rods in the unlocked position.
The example easy reach basket carousel device may be implemented to assist people that are wheelchair-bound or small children. Of course, the easy reach basket carousel disclosed herein is not limited to any particular end-user. For example, the easy reach basket carousel device may also be used by children or anyone else to provide an organizer and access within easy reach. For example, the easy reach basket carousel device may be provided in clothes closets, pantries, kitchens or other rooms, and even tool sheds or garages.
Before continuing, it is noted that as used herein, the terms “includes” and “including” mean, but is not limited to, “includes” or “including” and “includes at least” or “including at least.” The term “based on” means “based on” and “based at least in part on.”
FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an example easy reach basket carousel 10. FIG. 1B is a perspective view of an example easy reach basket carousel 10 with a basket 12 in a vertical configuration. The example easy reach basket carousel 10 may include a housing 14, a drive mechanism 22 (see FIG. 2) in the housing 14, and a plurality of rods 16 movable by the drive mechanism. In an example, the easy reach basket carousel 10 includes a front cover 18 a and a back cover 18 b (see FIG. 2) to enclose the drive mechanism 22 in the housing. The rods 16 may be spaced apart from one another and extend out from the housing 14 to receive one or more basket 12 or other container thereon (see FIG. 1B). In an example, a basket 12 need not be provided, e.g., where a scarf or tie can be hung over the rod 16. The easy reach basket carousel 10 can be hung to any wall (e.g., either in or outside of a closet), and/or positioned to sit on top of a surface (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 3C).
In an example, the rods 16 are insertable and removable to provide variable configurations of the plurality of rods. That is, any number of rods and/or spacing between the rods may be provided (e.g., to accommodate different size baskets 12).
In an example, the housing 14 may include an edge cover to at least partially cover a belt 22 (see FIG. 2). The edge cover includes a side 24 and a top portion 26. The top portion 26 may be a brush or other covering that enables the rods 16 to extend through the edge cover and move about a channel 27 formed between the side of the edge cover and the front cover outer perimeter of the front cover 18.
In an example, the easy reach basket carousel 10 includes a lock mechanism 28. The lock mechanism 28 may be operable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The lock mechanism 28 can thus be configured to prevent movement of the rods 16 when in the locked position. The lock mechanism 28 may also be configured to enable movement of the rods 16 when in the unlocked position.
When in an unlocked position, the end-user can rotate the baskets 12 around the channel 27, e.g., by pulling on one of the rods 16 (or other handle). In another example, the rods 16 (and hence baskets 12) can be motor driven. An example drive mechanism is illustrated in FIG. 2.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an example easy reach basket carousel 10. An example drive mechanism 30 is shown in FIG. 2. The example drive mechanism 30 may include a drive mechanism 32, such as a wheel or gear. The drive mechanism 30 may also include a driven mechanism 34, such as another wheel or gear, coupled with the drive mechanism 32 via a belt 22 (or chain, etc.).
In an example, the belt 22 is driven by the drive mechanism 30 to move the rod 16. The drive mechanism 30 may be motor driven, or manually rotatable. The belt may include a plurality of cylinders or other attachments configured to connect the rods 16 to the belt 22.
In an example, the easy reach basket carousel 10 device has wheels 32 and 34 at each end, with the belt 22 around the wheels 32 and 34. The wheels 32 and 34 may have teeth (e.g., gear wheels) or be sufficiently taught such that the belt 22 can be engaged by the wheels 32 and 34 and rotate without the need for gear teeth. Rods 16 are inserted into or otherwise affixed to the belt 20 around the circumference of the belt 22. Baskets 12 or other containers can be hung on each of the rods 16.
The easy reach basket carousel 10 may include a housing with a backing 18 b and a front cover 18 a that rests over the wheels 32 and 34, and over a portion of the belt 22 on the inner aspect. The cover 18 b can be attached to the back of the device with one attachment piece in the center of the device. The cover 18 b covers and/or helps to maintains the belt 20 in place on the inner aspect of the belt 22. On the outer aspect of the belt 22 there is a lip that covers the outer portion of the belt 22, leaving only the portion of the belt 22 that holds the rods 16 visible. This lip holds the belt 22 in place on the outer aspect of the belt 22. The device can be mounted onto a wall or any other surface, allowing the rods 22 to face outward with the baskets accessible to the end-user.
The outside cover 18 a covers the belt 22 and only the rods 16 show. The baskets 12 hang from the rods 16. Optional clips or other locking mechanisms (not shown) may be provided to fasten the baskets to the rods 16.
It should be noted that the examples described above are provided for purposes of illustration, and are not intended to be limiting. Other devices and/or device configurations may be utilized to carry out the operations described herein. The operations described herein are provided to illustrate example implementations. It is noted that the operations are not limited to any particular ordering shown. Still other operations may also be implemented.
FIG. 3 shows an example easy reach basket carousel 10 in a horizontal configuration, e.g., as it may be laid on a flat surface (as opposed to hung on a wall as shown in FIGS. 1A-B).
In the example shown, the easy reach basket carousel 10 includes a plurality of rods 16 on the belt 22. The rods 16 may be spaced apart from one another and extend outward to receive one or more basket 12 or other container or device. In this example, the baskets 12 may be oriented substantially perpendicular to the baskets 12 shown in FIGS. 1A-B, so that articles can be collected in the baskets 12.
In an example, the belt 22 includes a plurality of cylinders 36 configured to receive the rods therein. The rods 16 can be inserted and/or removed from the cylinders 36, making the easy reach basket carousel 10 fully configurable. That is, the rods 16 can be positioned and repositioned to provide any desired configuration and/or spacing of rods 16 about the belt 22. It is noted, however, that the rods 16 and/or retaining mechanisms 36 do not need to be cylindrical and may have any desired shape, size, and/or other geometric configuration.
FIGS. 4A-B illustrate operation of a lock mechanism as it may be configured as a rod lock 28 of the example easy reach basket carousel 10. The rod lock 28 may be pivotally attached to the cover 18 b and extend through the front cover 18 a.
The rod lock 28 can be moved into an unlocked position (FIG. 4A) which allows the rods 16 (and hence the baskets 12) to be rotated. In the unlocked position, the rod lock 28 is moved away from the rods 16.
The rod lock 28 may also be moved into a locked position (FIG. 4B) which prevents movement of the rods 16 and maintains or holds the baskets 12 in place to prevent movement. The rod lock 28 may include a substantially U-shaped end portion that may be pivoted into engagement with one of the rods 16 to secure the rod 16 in a substantially fixed position, thus preventing movement of any of the rods 16. In an example, the rod lock 28 moves freely to either stop or allow movement.
It is noted that the examples shown and described are provided for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting. Still other examples are also contemplated.

Claims

1. An easy reach basket carousel, comprising:

a housing;

a drive mechanism in the housing;

a plurality of rods movable by the drive mechanism, the plurality of rods spaced apart from one another and extending from the housing to receive one or more basket thereon.

2. The easy reach basket carousel of claim 1, further comprising a driven mechanism coupled with the drive mechanism in the housing.

3. The easy reach basket carousel of claim 1, further comprising a belt driven by the drive mechanism to move the plurality of rods.

4. The easy reach basket carousel of claim 3, wherein the belt includes a plurality of cylinders configured to receive the plurality of rods therein.

5. The easy reach basket carousel of claim 4, wherein the rods are inserted and removed from the plurality of cylinders to provide variable configurations of the plurality of rods.

6. The easy reach basket carousel of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism comprises at least one wheel.

7. The easy reach basket carousel of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism comprises at least one gear.

8. The easy reach basket carousel of claim 1, further comprising a motor to operate the drive mechanism.

9. The easy reach basket carousel of claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism is manually rotatable.

10. The easy reach basket carousel of claim 1, further comprising a back mount having the drive mechanism rotatably mounted thereon, the back mount configured for mounting to a wall or other surface.

11. The easy reach basket carousel of claim 1, further comprising a front cover to enclose the drive mechanism in the housing.

12. The easy reach basket carousel of claim 11, further comprising an edge cover for a belt, the edge cover including a brush or other covering of the belt while enabling the plurality of rods to extend therethrough and move about a channel formed between the edge cover and the front cover.

13. The easy reach basket carousel of claim 1, further comprising a lock mechanism operable between a locked position and an unlocked position to prevent movement of the plurality of rods in the locked position, and to enable movement of the rods in the unlocked position.

14. An easy reach basket carousel, comprising:

a housing having an edge cover and a front cover;

a drive mechanism in the housing;

a plurality of rods extending from the housing between the edge cover and the front cover, the plurality of rods spaced apart from one another and extending from the housing to receive one or more basket thereon, the plurality of rods movable by the drive mechanism; and

a belt driven by the drive mechanism to move the plurality of rods.

15. The easy reach basket carousel of claim 14, further comprising a driven mechanism coupled with the drive mechanism in the housing.

16. The easy reach basket carousel of claim 14, wherein the belt is configured to receive the plurality of rods therein, and wherein the rods are inserted and removed from the belt to provide variable configurations of the plurality of rods.

17. The easy reach basket carousel of claim 14, further comprising a lock mechanism operable between a locked position and an unlocked position to prevent movement of the plurality of rods in the locked position, and to enable movement of the rods in the unlocked position.

18. An easy reach basket carousel, comprising:

a drive mechanism and a follower mechanism;

a belt extending between the drive mechanism and the follower mechanism;

a plurality of rods configurable by an end-user at various locations in the belt, the plurality of rods spaced apart from one another and extending from the housing to receive one or more basket thereon, the plurality of rods movable by the drive mechanism.

19. The easy reach basket carousel of claim 18, further comprising a housing with:

a back mount having the drive mechanism rotatably mounted thereon, the back mount configured for mounting to a wall or other surface;

a front cover to enclose the drive mechanism in the housing; and

an edge cover for a belt, the edge cover including a brush or other covering of the belt while enabling the plurality of rods to extend therethrough and move about a channel formed between the edge cover and the front cover.

20. The easy reach basket carousel of claim 18, further comprising a lock mechanism operable between a locked position and an unlocked position to prevent movement of the plurality of rods in the locked position, and to enable movement of the rods in the unlocked position.