Modular storage units for uniforms and wearable equipment

Abstract

A modular storage system having a plurality of carts, each cart having a base, end panels, and sides, the end panels and platform defining a storage space accessible through the sides. The carts further include wheel assemblies and a track follower mechanism. The modular storage system further includes a track positioned on the floor, the track follower being engageable with the track. The end panels have a plurality of apertures to allow air movement in the storage space allowing contents positioned in the storage space to dry when the plurality of carts are in the abutting side-by-side position.

1 . A modular storage system for uniforms and wearable equipment comprising: 
 a track operably positioned on a floor; and    a plurality of carts, each cart including: 
 a base comprising a generally rectangular platform having opposed ends and opposed sides with end panels operably attached to and extending upward from the opposed ends, the end panels and the platform generally defining a storage space for contents that is accessible through one of the sides;  
 wheel assemblies operably attached to and extending below the base to provide a rolling surface adapted to roll on the floor; and  
 at least one track follower mechanism operably attached to one end of the base and having at least a portion of which is engageable with the track,  
 such that the plurality of carts are stored in a generally abutting side-by-side position and the storage space of a selected cart is selectively accessed by moving at least one of the plurality of carts so as to create a space in a direction parallel to the track between the selected cart and at least one adjacent cart such that the storage space of the selected cart is accessible from one of the sides,  
 wherein the end panels have a plurality of apertures therein to allow for air movement in the storage space to allow contents positioned in the storage space to dry when the plurality of carts are in the abutting side-by-side position.  
   
   
   
       2 . The modular storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the apertures represent at least 25% of the surface area defined by a perimeter of each end panel.  
   
   
       3 . The modular storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the contents are selected from the group consisting of: uniforms, wearable equipment, field gear, or any combination thereof.  
   
   
       4 . The modular storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the end panels are comprised of a wire-grille operably attached to a tubular frame structure.  
   
   
       5 . The modular storage system of  claim 1 , further comprising a fan operably disposed in at least one cart.  
   
   
       6 . The modular storage system of  claim 1 , further comprising a shelf disposed between the end panels, the shelf selectively positioned between the end panels to permit selective placement of articles generally within the storage space.  
   
   
       7 . The modular storage system of  claim 1 , further comprising a top panel disposed between and generally on top of the end panels that defines a top surface of the storage space.  
   
   
       8 . The modular storage system of  claim 7 , wherein the top panel is selected from the group consisting of: slotted, wire, solid, or any combination thereof.  
   
   
       9 . The modular storage system of  claim 7 , further comprising a secondary storage structure carried by and above the top panel.  
   
   
       10 . The modular storage system of  claim 9 , wherein the secondary storage structure comprises generally opposed secondary storage structure end panels.  
   
   
       11 . The modular storage system of  claim 10 , further comprising a shelf disposed between the secondary storage structure end panels, the shelf selectively positioned between the secondary storage structure end panels to permit selective placement of articles generally within the storage space.  
   
   
       12 . The modular storage system of  claim 10 , wherein the secondary storage structure end panels are comprised of a wire-grille operably attached to a tubular frame structure.  
   
   
       13 . A modular storage system for uniforms and wearable equipment comprising: 
 means for guiding operably positioned on a floor generally along an axis;    a plurality of movable modular storage units, each movable modular storage unit including: 
 a base comprising a generally rectangular platform having opposed ends and opposed sides with end panels operably attached to and extending upward from the opposed ends, the end panels and the platform generally defining a means for storing uniforms and wearable equipment that is accessible through one of the sides;  
 means for rolling operably attached to and extending below the base to provide a rolling surface adapted to roll on the floor; and  
 means for selectively engaging with the means for guiding,  
   such that the plurality of modular storage units are stored in a generally abutting side-by-side position and the means for storing of a selected modular storage unit is selectively accessed by moving at least one of the plurality of modular storage units so as to create a space in a direction parallel to the axis of the means for guiding between the selected modular storage unit and at least one adjacent modular storage unit such that the means for storing of the selected modular storage unit is accessible from one of the sides,    wherein the end panels have a plurality of apertures therein to allow for air movement in the means for storing to allow contents positioned in the means for storing to dry when the plurality of modular storage units are in the abutting side-by-side position.    
   
   
       14 . The modular storage system of  claim 13 , wherein the means for guiding comprises a track.  
   
   
       15 . The modular storage system of  claim 13 , wherein the movable modular storage units comprises a cart.  
   
   
       16 . The modular storage system of  claim 13 , wherein the means for engaging comprises a track follower mechanism.  
   
   
       17 . The modular storage system of  claim 13 , wherein the means for rolling comprises a plurality of wheels selected from the set consisting of: casters, axled pairs of wheels, or ball wheels.