| Storage system with turntable swingable about multiple axes -> Monitor Keywords |
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Storage system with turntable swingable about multiple axesRelated Patent Categories: Supports: Racks, Special Article, Stacked ArticlesStorage system with turntable swingable about multiple axes description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060169653, Storage system with turntable swingable about multiple axes. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a storage system for multiple articles in spaced relation to one another. The storage system is particularly useful for storing stacks of articles such as containers. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a storage system or dispenser apparatus which has movable parts to facilitate a user's access to the stored articles. [0002] U.S. Pat. No. 6,585,119 discloses a system for storing and stacking like articles. In one embodiment of the invention, a base is shaped and sized to fit within a storage cabinet or counter. A rotatable modular stackholder is secured to the base by means that permits the stackholder to move to and from a position within the storage cabinet and remain in vertical alignment with the base. The modular array of stackholders may be rotated at any position within or outside the cabinet or counter. In this embodiment, the modular stackholder comprises multiple units that have mating surfaces adapted to interengage one another. Any number of these units may be stacked, depending upon the space in which the stackholder is positioned. Each of the stackholder units are similarly shaped with a plurality of different sized compartments to receive stacks of articles, such as containers and dishes. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION [0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved storage system of the above-described type. [0004] Another object of the present invention is to provide such a storage system which is lightweight. [0005] A further object of the present invention is to provide such a storage system which is inexpensive to manufacture. [0006] An additional object of the present invention is to provide such a storage system which requires reduced spaced for transport and which can be easily assembled into its use configuration. [0007] These and other objects of the present invention will be apparent from the drawings and descriptions herein. Although every object of the invention is believed to be attained by at least one embodiment of the invention, there is not necessarily any single embodiment that achieves all of the objects of the invention. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] A storage system for multiple stacks of like articles comprises, in accordance with the present invention, a base and a stackholder assembly connected to the base for movement to and from a position in vertical alignment with the base. The stackholder assembly includes a support platform and a plurality of vertical guide members each secured at a lower end directly to the platform and extending vertically therefrom to define a plurality of stackholder units each capable of receiving a stack of like articles. [0009] In accordance with other features of the present invention, the vertical guide members each include a plurality of prongs each extending substantially perpendicularly to the platform, the prongs being provided at lower ends with locking formations engageable with cooperating locking formations on the platform to fix the vertical guide members to the platform. The locking formations may include detents on the lower ends of the prongs and shoulders disposed in receptacles on the platform. [0010] Pursuant to further features of the present invention, the prongs of each vertical guide member are arranged in a substantially triangular array and have upper ends connected to one another by a bight portion. Each stackholder unit may include at least two of the vertical guide members, the bight portions of the vertical guide members having concave sides facing one another to define vertical storage compartments. [0011] Prior to arrival at an end user's location, the storage system of the present invention may be shipped and stored in a collapsed configuration wherein the vertical guide members are disassembled from the support. The end user can easily assemble the storage system by plugging the free ends of the pronged guide members into receptacles on the support platform. The guide members are lightweight, inexpensive to manufacture, and easy to install. [0012] Pursuant to an additional feature of the present invention, the stackholder assembly is connected to the base by a pivoting linkage. The linkage defines at least one pivot axis of the stackholder assembly about which motion of the stackholder assembly brings the stackholder assembly out of vertical alignment with the base. [0013] The pivot axis may be a horizontal axis. In that case, motion of the stackholder assembly between one position in vertical alignment with the base and another position horizontally or laterally displaced relative to the base involves a motion having both a vertical component and a horizontal component. Thus, where the stackholder assembly is originally disposed vertically above the base, the platform of the stackholder assembly initially swings upwardly and in a lateral or horizontal direction and then downwardly in the same lateral or horizontal direction to arrive at a new stackholder position that is laterally or horizontally displaced relative to the original position. [0014] Alternatively, the pivot axis may be a vertical axis. Where there is a single lever arm connecting the stackholder assembly and the base, motion of the stackholder assembly between one position in vertical alignment with the base and another position horizontally or laterally displaced relative to the base involves a motion having horizontal components along two orthogonal axes and no vertical component. The stackholder assembly is moved from one position to the other along a circular horizontal path determined by the location of the pivot axis relative to a central axis of the system an by the length of the lever arm. [0015] A vertical pivot axis of the stackholder assembly may be one of two pivot axes. In this case, there are two lever arms swingably connected to one another and to the stackholder assembly at one end and the base at the other end. The stackholder assembly executes a pivoting motion with respect to at least one pivot axis, located at the joint between the two lever arms. That axis at the lever arm joint or articulation may in turn pivot with respect to the other pivot axis, with the possible result that the stackholder assembly executes only a translation with respect to the other pivot axis. The stackholder assembly may be supported on the base entirely via the lever arms. Alternatively, either the base or the stackholder assembly may be provided with a projection that slides against the other, enabling a low friction resting of the stackholder assembly on the base. [0016] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the platform comprises a turntable and the stackholder assembly includes a rotary coupling enabling an additional rotation of the turntable about a vertical axis. Objects on the turntable are subject to multiple swinging or rotary motions about a plurality of axes. [0017] As stated hereinabove, the stackholder units may each include at least two vertical guide members separately attachable to the platform and spaced from one another to define a vertical storage compartment. The vertical guide members may be so shaped as to define a storage compartment of a desired cross section. Typical cross-sections are circular to accommodate dishes and plates, cups and saucers, storage containers and lids. However, any of these items might have a different cross section such as square (perhaps with rounded corners). In that case the vertical guide members define storage compartments that are generally square in cross-section. [0018] A storage system for multiple stacks of containers and the like for storage in a cabinet comprises, in accordance with the present invention, a base and a stackholder assembly and means for interengaging the stackholder assembly for movement between a position in vertical alignment with the base within a cabinet and a position at least partially outside the cabinet. The stackholder assembly has a plurality of vertically extending pronged guide members defining a plurality of vertically extending compartments to receive stacks of articles. [0019] As indicated above, where the stackholder assembly includes a platform, receptacles are provided on the platform for receiving prongs of the guide members, the prongs and the receptacles being provided with cooperating locking elements for securing the guide members to the platform. [0020] A dispenser comprises, in accordance with the present invention, a base to be positioned in a storage area and a support having means for receiving and holding a plurality of items in spaced relation to one another, the support and the base being interconnected with one another by a pivot mechanism connected to the base and the support for enabling a swinging movement of the support about at least one pivot axis from a first position in vertical alignment with the base to a second position spaced from the first position. [0021] The pivot axis may be a horizontal axis, involving motion of the support in both a vertical direction and a horizontal direction. Alternatively, the pivot axis may be a vertical axis, involving motion of the support in a horizontal plane along two orthogonal axes only. In another alternative, the motion of the A vertical pivot axis of the stackholder assembly may be one of two pivot axes. In this case, there are two lever arms swingably connected to one another and to the stackholder assembly at one end and the base at the other end. The stackholder assembly executes a pivoting motion with respect to at least one pivot axis, located at the joint between the two lever arms. That axis at the lever arm joint or articulation may in turn pivot with respect to the other pivot axis, with the possible result that the stackholder assembly executes only a translation with respect to the other pivot axis. The stackholder assembly may be supported on the base entirely via the lever arms. Alternatively, either the base or the stackholder assembly may be provided with a projection that slides against the other, enabling a low friction resting of the stackholder assembly on the base. Continue reading about Storage system with turntable swingable about multiple axes... 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