Grid panel storage system

Abstract

A storage system is provided. The storage system includes a first horizontal track having an upwardly directed channel forming a first interlocking portion. A grid panel is provided including horizontal members, crossing members connected to the horizontal members, and a first hook member positioned in proximity to a top edge of the grid panel. The first hook member forms a second interlocking portion which is removably connected to the first interlocking portion of the first horizontal track. A second hook member is positioned in proximity to a bottom edge of the grid panel forming a third interlocking portion. A second horizontal track is provided having a downwardly directed channel forming a fourth interlocking portion, wherein the fourth interlocking portion is removably connected to the third interlocking portion of the grid panel. Various storage shelves, baskets, hooks or other implements are connected to the grid panel. A method for installing a storage system is also provided.

1 . A storage system comprising: 
 a first horizontal track adapted for attachment to a structure having a substantially continuous upwardly directed channel forming a first interlocking portion;    a grid panel, including horizontal members, crossing members connected to the horizontal members, and at least one first hook member positioned in proximity to a top edge of the grid panel, the at least one first hook member forming a second interlocking portion, wherein the second interlocking portion is removably connected to the first interlocking portion of the first horizontal track, and at least one second hook member positioned in proximity to a bottom edge of the grid panel, the at least one second hook member forming a third interlocking portion; and    a second horizontal track adapted for attachment to the structure having a substantially continuous downwardly directed channel forming a fourth interlocking portion, wherein the fourth interlocking portion is removably connected to the third interlocking portion of the grid panel.    
   
   
       2 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the upwardly and downwardly directed channels are J-shaped.  
   
   
       3 . The storage system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one first hook member and the at least one second hook member are J-shaped and are formed in one piece with at least one of the crossing members.  
   
   
       4 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second tracks comprises a formed metal channel having a flange with spaced apart apertures for mounting the at least one of the first and second tracks to a rigid structure using fasteners passing through the apertures.  
   
   
       5 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the first horizontal track includes a plurality of horizontally spaced apertures for receiving fasteners therethough.  
   
   
       6 . The storage system of  claim 5 , wherein the apertures are approximately spaced apart by a distance of at least one of 1, 2, 4, and 8 inches.  
   
   
       7 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one first hook member includes a plurality of J-shaped extensions integrally formed with at least two of the crossing members.  
   
   
       8 . The storage system of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one second hook member includes a plurality of J-shaped extensions integrally formed with at least two of the crossing members.  
   
   
       9 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the horizontal members comprise rods.  
   
   
       10 . The storage system of  claim 9 , wherein the crossing members comprise rods positioned substantially perpendicular to the horizontal members and joined to the horizontal members at intersections of the members.  
   
   
       11 . The storage system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one storage implement which comprises at least one anchor portion which selectively, removably, connects to the at least one of the horizontal members of the grid panel.  
   
   
       12 . The storage system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one storage implement further comprises a shelf.  
   
   
       13 . The storage system of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one storage implement further comprises an elongated member positioned adjacent and substantially parallel to the shelf opposite the first horizontal track in an installed position.  
   
   
       14 . The storage system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one storage implement which comprises: 
 a first member;    a second member pivotably connected to the first member;    a third member removably connected to at least the first and second members; and    an anchor member connected to at least one of the first, second and third members which selectively, removably, connects to the grid panel.    
   
   
       15 . The storage system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one storage implement which comprises: 
 a first panel;    a second panel pivotably connected to the first panel;    a third panel removably connected to at least the first and second panels;    a fourth panel removably connected to at least the first and second panels; and    an anchor member connected to at least one of the first, second, third and fourth panels which selectively, removably, connects to the grid panel;    wherein the first, second, third, and fourth panels substantially enclose a bottom and sides of a storage area.    
   
   
       16 . A method for providing a storage system, the method comprising: 
 providing a first track having a first interlocking portion;    providing a grid panel having a second interlocking portion in proximity to a top edge of the grid panel, a third interlocking portion in proximity to a bottom edge of the grid panel and a plurality of horizontal members;    providing a second track having at least a fourth interlocking portion;    providing at least one storage implement having an anchor portion;    connecting the first track horizontally to at least one rigid structure using at least two fasteners;    connecting the grid panel to the first track by connecting the second interlocking portion with the first interlocking portion;    connecting the fourth interlocking portion of the second track to the third interlocking portion of the grid panel;    connecting the second track horizontally to the at least one rigid structure using at least two fasteners; and    selectively connecting the anchor portion of the at least one storage implement to the grid panel.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising providing the first track as a J-shaped upwardly directed channel which forms the first interlocking portion and providing the grid panel with at least one J-shaped hook member which forms the second interlocking portion.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising providing the second track as a J-shaped downwardly directed channel which forms the first interlocking portion and providing the grid panel with at least one J-shaped hook member which forms the second interlocking portion.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the connecting the first track includes attaching at least one of the first and the second tracks to a plurality of vertically oriented wall studs using a plurality of fasteners.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising providing the first track with a plurality apertures spaced by a distance of at least one of 1, 2, 4, and 8 inches, wherein the attaching the first track includes attaching at least one of the first and the second tracks to a plurality of vertically oriented wall studs using a plurality of screws inserted through the plurality of spaced apertures.