Alignment system and method for vertically stored objects

Abstract

An alignment system and method including a frame having an axle connected thereto. Fingers rotatably coupled to the axle independently rotate thereabout. A counterweight affixed to the frame prevents the frame from turning over. When an object is inserted into the alignment system corresponding fingers are moved toward a substantially vertical position. When the object is removed gravity causes the corresponding fingers to return to an extended position to restrict the movement of adjacent objects into the unoccupied space and preserve the unoccupied space for return of the object. The objects remaining in the alignment system are held in an upright manner. Such retention of objects in an upright manner preserves the integrity of delicate objects such as rare books and reduces the tendency of objects to fall in the event of a ground shock.

1 . An alignment system for generally flat, vertically oriented objects to be stored in a substantially upright manner, said alignment system comprising: 
 a frame;    an axle affixed to said frame;    a plurality of extendable fingers rotatably connected to said axle for independent rotation thereabout; and    a weight attached to said frame to counterbalance the weight of said plurality of extendable fingers.    
   
   
       2 . The alignment system as defined in  claim 1  wherein each of said fingers in said plurality of extendable fingers is substantially equal in width to the other of each of said extendable fingers.  
   
   
       3 . The alignment system as defined in  claim 1  wherein each of said fingers in said plurality of extendable fingers is substantially equal in length to the other of each of said extendable fingers.  
   
   
       4 . The alignment system as defined in  claim 1  wherein each of said fingers has a rounded or tapered end distal from said rotatable connection to said stationary axle.  
   
   
       5 . The alignment system as defined in  claim 1  wherein each of said fingers in said plurality of extendable fingers is spaced from an adjacent extendable finger to allow free movement thereof.  
   
   
       6 . The alignment system as defined in  claim 1  wherein the weight distribution in each of said fingers in said plurality of extendable fingers causes each of said fingers to return to an extended position after rotating around said stationary axle.  
   
   
       7 . A method of aligning vertically oriented objects in a substantially vertical manner comprising the steps of: 
 placing an alignment device on a substantially horizontal surface, said alignment device including: 
 a frame having an axle extending therefrom;  
 a plurality of extendable fingers rotatably attached to said axle;  
 a counterweight to said plurality of said extendable fingers affixed to said frame to prevent said frame from turning over;  
 inserting a vertically oriented object in said alignment device whereby one or more of said extendable fingers rotates around said axle to a substantially vertical position.  
   
   
   
       8 . A device for standing objects, that will not stand vertically on their own, to stand in an upright manner, said device comprising: 
 a frame;    an axle constructed and arranged to be positioned in a substantially horizontal orientation by said frame;    a plurality of fingers rotatably mounted to said axle at a first end and extending outwardly from said axle at a substantially acute angle from the horizontal at a second end;    a weight affixed to said frame to prevent said frame from falling over when said plurality of fingers is extending outwardly.    
   
   
       9 . The device as defined in  claim 8  wherein each of said fingers in said plurality of fingers has substantially the same width.  
   
   
       10 . The device as defined in  claim 8  wherein each of said fingers in said plurality of fingers has substantially the same length.  
   
   
       11 . The device as defined in  claim 8  wherein the weight distribution in each of said fingers causes said fingers to fall into said extended orientation.  
   
   
       12 . A set of bookshelves comprising: 
 a plurality of shelves;    a frame structure positioning each of said plurality of frames in a substantially horizontal orientation;    a plurality of alignment device constructed and arranged for placement on each of said plurality of shelves; 
 a frame assembly;  
 an axle affixed to said frame assembly;  
 a plurality of extendable fingers rotatably connected to said axle for independent rotation thereabout;  
 a weight attached to said frame assembly to counter balance the weight of said plurality of extendable fingers.  
   
   
   
       13 . The set of bookshelves as defined in  claim 12  wherein; 
 each of said plurality of extendable fingers moves freely with respect to an adjacent finger.    
   
   
       14 . The set of bookshelves as defined in  claim 13  wherein: 
 the mass of each of said plurality of fingers causes it to move into a position at a substantially acute angle with respect to said substantially horizontal shelf unless physically displaced therefrom.    
   
   
       15 . A set of reference materials comprising: 
 a plurality of individual books or catalogs;    an alignment device constructed and arranged for organizing said individual books or catalogs in an upright manner;    said alignment device including: 
 a frame assembly;  
 an axle affixed to said frame assembly;  
 a plurality of extendable fingers rotatably connected to said axle for independent rotation thereabout;  
 a weight attached to said frame assembly to counter balance the weight of said plurality of extendable fingers.