Storage system with turntable swingable about multiple axes

Abstract

A storage system for multiple stacks of like articles has a base and a stackholder assembly connected to the base for movement to and from a position in vertical alignment with the base. The stackholder assembly includes a support platform and a plurality of vertical guide members each secured at a lower end directly to the platform and extending vertically therefrom to define a plurality of stackholder units each capable of receiving a stack of like articles.

1 . A storage system for multiple stacks of like articles comprising a base and a stackholder assembly connected to said base for movement to and from a position in vertical alignment with said base, said stackholder assembly including a support platform and a plurality of vertical guide members each secured at a lower end directly to said platform and extending vertically therefrom to define a plurality of stackholder units each capable of receiving a stack of like articles, said guide members being separate structural members different from one another.  
   
   
       2 . A storage system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said stackholder assembly is connected to said base by a pivoting linkage, said linkage defining at least one pivot axis of said stackholder assembly about which motion of said stackholder assembly brings said stackholder assembly out of vertical alignment with said base.  
   
   
       3 . A storage system as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said platform comprises a turntable, said stackholder assembly including a rotary coupling enabling an additional rotation of said turntable about a vertical axis.  
   
   
       4 . A storage system as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said pivot axis is taken from the group consisting of a horizontal axis and a vertical axis.  
   
   
       5 . A storage system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said vertical guide members each include a plurality of prongs each extending substantially perpendicularly to said platform.  
   
   
       6 . A storage system as set forth in  claim 5  wherein said prongs are provided at lower ends with locking formations engageable with cooperating locking formations on said platform to fix said vertical guide members to said platform.  
   
   
       7 . A storage system as set forth in  claim 6  wherein said prongs have upper ends connected to one another by a bight portion, said stackholder units each including at least two of said vertical guide members, the bight portions of said vertical guide members having concave sides facing one another to define vertical storage compartments.  
   
   
       8 . A storage system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said stackholder units each include at least two vertical guide members separately attachable to said platform and spaced from one another to define a vertical storage compartment.  
   
   
       9 . A storage system as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said vertical guide members each include a plurality of prongs each extending substantially perpendicularly to said platform.  
   
   
       10 . A storage system as set forth in  claim 9  wherein said prongs are provided at lower ends with locking formations engageable with cooperating locking formations on said platform to fix said vertical guide members to said platform.  
   
   
       11 . A storage system as set forth in  claim 10  wherein the prongs of each of said vertical guide members have upper ends connected to one another by a bight portion, the bight portions of the vertical guide members of any given one of said stackholder units having concave sides facing one another to define vertical storage compartments.  
   
   
       12 . A storage system for multiple stacks of containers and the like for storage in a cabinet, comprising a base and a stackholder assembly and means for interengaging the stackholder assembly for movement between a position in vertical alignment with the base within a cabinet and a position at least partially outside the cabinet, said stackholder assembly having a plurality of vertically extending pronged guide members defining a plurality of vertically extending compartments to receive stacks of articles.  
   
   
       13 . A storage system for multiple stacks of containers as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said stackholder assembly includes a platform, said pronged guide members including prongs extending into receptacles on said platform, said prongs being provided at lower ends with locking elements for securing said guide members to said platform.  
   
   
       14 . A dispenser comprising: 
 a base to be positioned in a storage area; and    a support having means for receiving and holding a plurality of items in spaced relation to one another,    said support and said base being interconnected with one another by a pivot mechanism connected to said base and said support for enabling a swinging movement of said support about at least one pivot axis from a first position in vertical alignment with said base to a second position spaced from said first position.    
   
   
       15 . A dispenser as set forth in  claim 14  wherein said items each comprise a stack of containers, said support having vertical guide members defining vertical storage compartments for receiving the stacks of containers in spaced relation to one another.  
   
   
       16 . A dispenser as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said vertical guide members each include a plurality of prongs each extending substantially perpendicularly to said platform.  
   
   
       17 . A dispenser as set forth in  claim 16  wherein said prongs are provided at lower ends with locking formations engageable with cooperating locking formations on said platform to fix said vertical guide members to said platform.  
   
   
       18 . A storage system as set forth in  claim 14  wherein said support includes a turntable.  
   
   
       19 . A storage system as set forth in  claim 18  wherein said pivot axis is a horizontal axis.  
   
   
       20 . A storage system as set forth in  claim 18  wherein said pivot axis is a vertical axis.