Modular storage system

Abstract

A movable storage assembly includes at least one storage unit defined by a frame structure and having a roller member secured to each of the upper corners of the frame structure. A pair of roller tracks are mounted above the at least one storage unit and aligned to structurally receive the roller members secured to the frame structure. The storage unit is suspended in an upright stored position and is movable along the roller tracks from a stored position to an accessible position.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A storage assembly, including in combination: 
 at least one storage unit having a frame structure which includes corner frame members each having an upper end and a lower end thereof, with said corner frame members defining sides of said at least one storage unit;    a roller member secured to each of said upper ends of said corner frame members of said frame structure; and    at least a pair of roller tracks mounted above said at least one storage unit and aligned to structurally receive said roller members secured to said upper ends of said corner frame members of said storage unit and to suspend said at least one storage unit in an upright position, with said at least one storage unit being movable along said roller tracks from a stored position to an accessible position.    
     
     
         2 . The storage assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said at least one storage unit includes shelf members engageable with said corner frame members to provide shelf storage for said at least one storage unit.  
     
     
         3 . The storage assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said frame structure of said at least one storage unit includes intermediate frame members each having an upper end thereof mounted on opposite sides of said at least one storage unit intermediate said corner frame members.  
     
     
         4 . The storage assembly in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein each of said upper ends of said intermediate frame members include a roller member secured thereto, with each of said roller members being structurally arranged to cooperate with said roller tracks to facilitate suspension of said at least one storage unit in an upright position.  
     
     
         5 . The movable storage assembly in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein said at least one storage unit includes two intermediate frame members.  
     
     
         6 . The storage assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said at least one storage unit includes a base shelf member mounted to said corner frame members at said lower end thereof, with said base shelf member having a lower surface.  
     
     
         7 . The storage assembly in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein said base shelf member includes casters mounted to said lower surface at each corner thereof.  
     
     
         8 . The storage assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said frame structure further includes cross-brace members extending between at least two corner frame members to provide support for said at least one storage unit.  
     
     
         9 . The storage assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , further including a reversible electric motor means operatively connected to a slide member associated with a rail member to drive the same, with said motor means, said slide member and said rail member positioned between said pair of roller tracks and wherein said slide member is coupled to said at least one storage unit, such that upon the energization of said motor means, said slide member is moved to thereby move said storage unit between said stored position and said accessible position.  
     
     
         10 . The storage assembly in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said roller tracks positioned between adjacent aligned storage units are Y-shaped with the diverging portion U-shaped and structurally arranged to receive said roller members.  
     
     
         11 . A storage assembly, including in combination: 
 at least two storage units positioned adjacent to one another, each having a frame structure which includes corner frame members having an upper end and a lower end thereof, with said corner frame members defining sides for said storage unit;    roller members secured to each of said upper ends of said corner frame members of said frame structure of said storage units; and    at least two pair of roller tracks mounted above each of said storage units and aligned to structurally receive said roller members secured to said upper ends of said corner frame members of said frame structure of each of said storage unit and to suspend each of said storage unit in an upright stored position, with said at least one storage unit being movable along said roller tracks from said stored position to an outward accessible position.    
     
     
         12 . The storage assembly in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein said at least one storage unit includes adjustable shelf members engageable with said corner frame members.  
     
     
         13 . The storage assembly in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein said frame structure of said at least one storage unit includes intermediate frame members each having an upper end thereof mounted on opposite sides of said at least one storage unit intermediate said corner frame members.  
     
     
         14 . The storage assembly in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein each of said upper end of said intermediate frame members include a roller member secured thereto which are structurally arranged to cooperate with said roller tracks to suspend said at least one storage unit in an upright position.  
     
     
         15 . The storage assembly in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein said at least one storage unit includes two intermediate frame members.  
     
     
         16 . The storage assembly in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein said at least one storage unit includes a base shelf member mounted to said corner frame members at said lower end thereof.  
     
     
         17 . The storage assembly in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein said base shelf member includes a caster member mounted at each corner thereof.  
     
     
         18 . The storage assembly in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein said roller tracks positioned between adjacent aligned storage units are Y-shaped with the diverging portion U-shaped and structurally arranged to receive said roller members.  
     
     
         19 . The storage assembly in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein the gap between adjacent positioned storage units is between about 2 to 6 inches.  
     
     
         20 . The storage assembly in accordance with  claim 11 , further including a reversible electric motor means operatively connected to a slide member associated with a rail member to drive the same, with said motor means, said slide member and said rail member positioned between a pair of roller tracks, and wherein said slide member is coupled to said at least one of said storage unit, such that upon the energization of said motor means, said slide member is moved to thereby move said storage unit between said stored position and said accessible position.