WO2020069560A1

WO2020069560A1 - Storage system

Info

Publication number: WO2020069560A1
Application number: PCT/AU2019/051022
Authority: WO
Inventors: Leo RYNER
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-10-01
Filing date: 2019-09-24
Publication date: 2020-04-09
Anticipated expiration: 2021-04-01
Also published as: AU2019352900A1

Abstract

The invention provides a storage system comprising: a plurality of storage units (2,3) arranged side-by-side in at least one horizontal row; a plurality of vertical partitions (4,6,7,8) each disposed between left and right horizontally neighbouring ones of the storage units; a front edge portion (4,6) of each vertical partition extending along at least a length of the vertical partition; left and right side walls (47,70,90) on each front edge portion (4,6) facing into the left and right horizontal neighbouring ones of the storage units, and adapted to having componentry (31,32,33,34) installed thereon; a back portion (7) of each vertical partition to which the front edge portion (4,6) is removably attached; and a duct (80) formed between the left and right side walls (47,70,90) of each front edge portion (4,6) adapted to receive cables or conduits for delivery of data or power.

Description

STORAGE SYSTEM

FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to banks of storage units such as cabinets or lockers and particularly to a novel system for providing flexible and simple modification of componentry such as power points, electronic locks, hinges and the like.

BACKGROUND

[0002] With banks of cabinets such as lockers, there is often a need to update componentry or locker configuration such as locker size. Existing systems fix componentry, locks and the like into the permanent locker walls and feed electrical wiring in manners which are difficult to modify once the locker system is installed, usually requiring complete disassembly of the structure .

[0003] There is therefore a need to provide an improved cabinet system with improved and flexible access for such modification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Therefore in accordance with a broad aspect of the invention there is provided a storage system, comprising when constructed:

a plurality of storage units arranged side-by-side in at least one horizontal row;

a plurality of vertical partitions each disposed between left and right horizontally neighbouring ones of the storage units or at an end of the at least one horizontal row; a front edge portion of each vertical partition extending along at least a length of the vertical partition;

left and right side walls on each front edge portion facing into the left and right horizontal neighbouring ones of the storage units when so disposed, and adapted to having componentry installed thereon;

a back portion of each vertical partition to which the front edge portion is removably attached; and

a duct formed between the left and right side walls of each front edge portion adapted to receive cables or conduits for delivery of data or power.

[0005] In one embodiment, the plurality of storage units are arranged at least partly in a plurality of said horizontal rows, stacked vertically. At least one of the vertical partitions and corresponding front edge portions may extend vertically across at least two of the plurality of said horizontal rows. Each of the vertical partitions and corresponding front edge portions may extend vertically across the plurality of said horizontal rows .

[0006] In one embodiment, each back portion comprises a left and a right storage unit wall joined together and held separated by a gap, and each front edge portion comprises a protrusion adapted to slide into the gap to assist in securing the front edge portion to the back portion.

[0007] In one embodiment, each front edge portion comprises an openable or removable panel extending along the left or right side wall to facilitate access to the duct. Power or data points may be installable onto the openable or removable panel . In one embodiment, the system further comprises on each front edge portion a front wall section disposed on the same side wall as the removable panel and forward of the openable or removable panel to allow installation of hinges for hingeing a door of a corresponding storage unit.

[0008] In one embodiment, hinges for hingeing a door of the corresponding storage unit are installable onto the left or right side walls of each front edge portion.

[0009] In one embodiment, a locking mechanism is installable on at least one of the left or right side walls of the front edge portion adapted to engage with a matching door lock element on a door of the corresponding storage unit.

[0010] In one embodiment, the front edge portion further comprises securing means on an upper and lower end for securing the front edge portion in position.

[0011] In one embodiment, each front edge portion is constructed as an extrusion adapted to be cut to a desired length.

[0012] In one embodiment, the left and right side walls of each front edge portion are flush with left and right side walls of the back portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a storage system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0014] Figure 2, 3 and 4 show further details of the embodiment of Figure 1 in an exploded perspective view; [0015] Figure 5 shows a plan cross-sectional view of details of the embodiment of Figure 1 ; and

[0016] Figure 6 shows a plan cross-sectional view of the front edge portion of the embodiment of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0017] An embodiment of the current invention will now be described.

[0018] Referring first to Figure 1, a constructed storage system 1 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in perspective view. Storage system 1 comprises a typical bank of lockers 2, 3 with locking elements 5 arranged in 3 horizontal rows stacked vertically. Visible at one end of the stack is a front edge portion to be described in more detail below.

[0019] Referring now to Figure 2, the bank of lockers of Figure 1 is shown with the 2 leftmost columns in exploded view

revealing some of the features of the invention. Each locker is provided with a door 9, 10 and left and right horizontally neighbouring ones of the lockers are divided by vertical

partitions each comprising a back portion 7, 8 to which is removably attached a front edge portion such as 6 attached to 7. One of the front edge portions 4 is also removably attached to an end of the rows .

[0020] In this embodiment, the vertical partitions extend vertically across the 3 horizontal rows. Horizontal partitions being floors and roofs of individual lockers and also being shelves within individual lockers can be positioned as desired between the vertical partitions using the locating holes 15. Topmost roofs 11, 12, 13 help secure top ends of the vertical partitions 7, 8 and front edge portions such as 4,6. An upper facing panel 14 lines the top of the top horizontal row.

Similarly, bottom most floors (not shown) help secure bottom ends of the partitions and front edge portions.

[0021] Now referring to Figure 3, further detail of the view of Figure 2 is shown. It can be seen that each back portion 7, when disposed between neighbouring storage units, comprises a left 20 and right 21 storage unit wall joined together with joining elements to be described below. The removable attachment of front edge portion 6 to back portion 7 is described in further detail below. Back panels 22, 23 secure back edges of left 20 and right 21 storage unit walls with screws or similar (not shown) . Topmost roofs 13 secure top ends of the front edge portions with screws 24, 25 engaging with screw receiving elements in the front edge portions to be described further below.

[0022] Now referring to Figure 4, details of examples of

componentry which may be installed on front edges 4, 6 are shown. Power points 34 may be screwed or otherwise fixed onto a side wall of the front edge. Hinges 32, 33 may be screwed or otherwise fixed onto a side wall of the front edge and attached to door 9. A locking mechanism 31 may be screwed or otherwise fixed onto an opposing side wall of the front edge for

engagement with a corresponding locking element of a door of a neighbouring storage unit. In this figure, one of the floors 30 which may be used to horizontally partition between upper and lower neighbouring storage units is also shown. Such horizontal partitions 30 also engage front edge 6 and have the effect of stabilising front edge 6 from lateral rotation movement around its rear attachment to back portion. [0023] Now referring to Figure 5, a plan view cross-sectional and through a storage unit of the described embodiment is shown. Back portion 7 of a partition between neighbouring storage units is shown composed of left 20 and right 21 storage unit walls joined together by fasteners 43 which maintain a gap between left 20 and right 21 storage unit walls. Front edge portion 6 comprises a protrusion 41 on a back side adapted to slide snugly into the gap to assist in removably securing the front edge portion to the back portion. When as in this embodiment the front edge portion 6 is manufactured by extrusion, protrusion 41 extends down the entire length of the front edge. Each front edge 4, 6 comprises an openable or removable panel 47 rotatable about a pivot point 48 and removable which enables access to an interior duct formed by the left (47,70) and right (90) walls of the front edge portion, smoothly matching the left 20 and right 21 storage unit walls respectively. Power points 34 can be conveniently installed on removable panel 47. In the diagram, front edge 4 is also installed forming a partition formed by back portion 45, 44 as an end of horizontal row. It will be appreciated that at the end of the rows, limited or different functionalities required and modified or no front edges may be used.

[0024] Referring finally to Figure 6, details of front edge portion 4,6 are shown. Front edge portions 4, 6 are preferably constructed as an extrusion, preferably from aluminium or plastic and able to be easily cut to a desired length.

Protrusion 40 on a back edge as discussed above is shown, as are partially cylindrical screw locating elements 60, 61, 62 and 63 which can be used to receive self-tapping screws such as 24 , 25 through topmost roofs 13 as discussed above in relation to

Figure 3. Partially cylindrical dowel pin receiving elements 64, 65 may be used when securing front edge 4, 6 at its bottom end where access to screws from below is problematic. On a left side wall of the front edge portion (47,70) formed in part by

removable panel 47 is a front wall section 70 of appropriate width to allow installation of the hinges described above.

Removable panel 47 allows access to duct 80, and is rotatable about a pivot point 48 via cooperating elements 50 and held in position by latching elements 51, 52. A lateral reinforcing wall 66 is also provided. As described above, duct 80 may be used to vertically route power or data cables or other conduits for powering or communication with power points or electronic locking mechanisms of the componentry.

[0025] It will be appreciated that the invention allows simple and rapid reconfiguration of a bank of storage units such as lockers without the need to disassemble the structure, when for example lockers of different size are to be constructed in an existing system or componentry such as locks or power points are to be modified or installed.

[0026] Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that many variations may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention, which is determined from the

broadest scope and claims.

[0027] For example, the partition of the invention with its associated back portion and front edge is not necessarily installed between every set of neighbouring storage units in a bank of storage units or on the ends of each row, and the claims are intended to encompass embodiments where there are partitions or ends other than or in addition to the plurality of partitions claimed.

[0028] In the claims which follow and in the preceding

description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or

"comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. Further, any method steps recited in the claims are not necessarily intended to be performed temporally in the sequence written, or to be performed without pause once started, unless the context requires it.

[0029] In the claims, the phrases "cables or conduits" and

"data or power" are intended in an inclusive sense, allowing for the provision of both cables and/or conduits for the delivery of both data and/or power .

[0030] It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Claims

1. A storage system, comprising when constructed:

a plurality of vertical partitions each disposed between left and right horizontally neighbouring ones of the storage units or at an end of the at least one horizontal row;

a front edge portion of each vertical partition

extending along at least a length of the vertical partition;

2. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of storage units are arranged at least partly in a plurality of said horizontal rows, stacked vertically.

3. The storage system of claim 2, wherein at least one of the vertical partitions and corresponding front edge portions extend vertically across at least two of the plurality of said horizontal rows.

4. The storage system of claim 3, wherein each of the vertical partitions and corresponding front edge portions extend vertically across the plurality of said horizontal rows.

5. The storage system of any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein each back portion of a vertical partition, when disposed between the left and right horizontally neighbouring ones of the storage units, comprises a left and a right storage unit wall joined together and held separated by a gap, and each front edge portion comprises a protrusion adapted to slide into the gap to assist in securing the front edge portion to the back portion.

6. The storage system of any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein each front edge portion comprises an openable or removable panel extending along the left or right side wall to facilitate access to the duct.

7. The storage system of claim 6, wherein power or data points are installable onto the openable or removable panel .

8. The storage system of any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the front edge portions are configured so that hinges for hingeing a door of the corresponding storage unit are

installable onto the left or right side walls of each front edge portion .

9. The storage system of claim 7, further comprising on each front edge portion a front wall section disposed on the same side as the removable panel and forward of the openable or removable panel to allow installation of door hinges as part of the componentry.

10. The storage system of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a locking mechanism is installable on at least one of the left or right side walls of each front edge portion adapted to engage with a matching door lock element on a door of the corresponding storage unit.

11. The storage system of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the front edge portion further comprises securing means on an upper and lower end for securing the front edge portion in position .

12. The storage system of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein each front edge portion is constructed as an extrusion adapted to be cut to a desired length.