Overhead storage systems

Abstract

Various aspects of the present disclosure provide various exemplary embodiments of systems and apparatus that can, for example, be used to suspend storage devices from supporting structure. In one exemplary embodiment, a system generally includes one or more shelf members and a framework configured to be coupled to supporting structure for suspending the one or more shelf members from the supporting structure. The framework can include at least two spaced-apart hanger members, at least one spanner member, and at least two elbows each having a generally vertical portion engagable with a corresponding one of the hanger members, and a generally horizontal portion engagable with the spanner member.

1 . A system comprising: 
 one or more shelf members having a plurality of wire members forming at least one shelf deck and at least one wire member having at least a portion disposed below the shelf deck;    a framework for suspending the one or more shelf members from the supporting structure, the framework including: 
 at least two spaced-apart hanger members coupled to the supporting structure, each said hanger member including a channel;  
 at least one spanner member including a channel;  
 at least two elbows each including a channel with a generally vertical portion engaged with a corresponding one of the hanger member channels, and a generally horizontal portion engaged with a corresponding portion of the spanner member channel;  
   whereby, when the one or more shelf members are being supported by the framework suspended from the supporting structure, the wire member portion disposed below the shelf deck cooperates with at least one other portion of the one or more shelf members for operatively trapping therebetween at least a portion of at least one of the spanner member and the elbows thereby inhibiting dislodging of the one or more shelf members from the framework.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the hanger members, spanner member, and elbows include generally C-shaped channels.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the hanger member channels are configured for sliding engagement with the elbow channels, and wherein the elbow channels are configured for sliding engagement with the spanner member channel.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the elbows are configured to be at least partially received within the hanger member channels, and wherein the elbows are configured to be at least partially received within the spanner member channel.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the hanger members and elbows include a plurality of fastener holes providing multiple locations for selectively attaching the hanger members to the elbows, whereby the fastener holes allow selective adjustment to the height at which the one or more shelf members are suspended by the framework relative to the supporting structure.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the spanner member and elbows include a plurality of faster holes providing multiple locations for selectively attaching the elbows to the spanner member, whereby the fastener holes allow selective adjustment to the overall shelf width that can be accommodated by the framework.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the framework comprises a first assembly and a second assembly spaced apart from the first assembly, each said first and second assembly including at least two of said hanger members, at least one of said spanner member, and at least two of said elbows.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising eyebolts coupling the hanger members to the supporting structure.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the hanger members include openings, and wherein the eyebolts are coupled to the hanger members by clevis pins within said openings and cotter pins securing the clevis pins within the openings.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising bushings disposed generally between corresponding portions of the hanger members and eyebolts.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more shelf members include generally vertical wire segments and at least one generally horizontal rod member connected to the generally vertical wire segments, and wherein at least one of the generally vertical wire segments and generally horizontal rod member are disposed relative to at least one of the spanner member and elbows for creating a snap-fit connection, whereby the snap-fit connection inhibits dislodging of the one or more shelf members from the framework.  
   
   
       12 . An apparatus configured to be coupled to supporting structure for suspending one or more shelf members from the supporting structure, the apparatus comprising: 
 at least two spaced-apart hanger members including generally C-shaped channels;    at least one spanner member including a generally C-shaped channel; and    at least two elbows including generally C-shaped channels having generally vertical portions configured for sliding engagement with the hanger member channels, and generally horizontal portions configured for sliding engagement with the spanner member channel;    whereby the apparatus provides at least one support surface for supporting one or more shelf members thereon when the hanger members are coupled to supporting structure and the elbows are engaged with the hanger members and the spanner member.    
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the elbows are configured to be at least partially received within the hanger member channels, and wherein the elbows are configured to be at least partially received within the spanner member channel.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the hanger members and elbows include a plurality of fastener holes providing multiple locations for selectively attaching the hanger members to the elbows.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the spanner member and elbows include a plurality of faster holes providing multiple locations for selectively attaching the elbows to the spanner member.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the apparatus comprises a first assembly and a second assembly spaced apart from the first assembly, each said first and second assembly including at least two of said hanger members, at least one of said spanner member, and at least two of said elbows.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising eyebolts for coupling the hanger members to supporting structure.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the hanger members include openings, and wherein the eyebolts are coupled to the hanger members by clevis pins within said openings and cotter pins securing the clevis pins within the openings.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , further comprising bushings disposed generally between corresponding portions of the hanger members and eyebolts.  
   
   
       20 . A system comprising: 
 one or more shelf members having a plurality of wire members forming a shelf deck, generally vertical wire segments extending downwardly relative to the shelf deck, and at least one generally horizontal rod member connected to the generally vertical wire segments;    a framework configured to be coupled to supporting structure for suspending the one or more shelf members from the supporting structure, the framework including: 
 at least two spaced-apart hanger members;  
 at least one spanner member;  
 at least two elbows each having a generally vertical portion engagable with a corresponding one of the hanger members, and a generally horizontal portion engagable with the spanner member;  
   whereby, when the one or more shelf members are supported by the framework suspended from the supporting structure, at least one of the generally vertical wire segments and generally horizontal rod member are disposed relative to at least one of the spanner member and elbows for creating a snap-fit connection therewith for inhibiting dislodging of the one or more shelf members from the framework.    
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the generally horizontal rod member is disposed below the shelf deck, and wherein the generally horizontal rod member cooperates with the shelf deck for operatively trapping therebetween at least one of the spanner member and elbows, whereby the trapping inhibits dislodging of the one or more shelf members from the framework.  
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the one or more shelf members include generally vertical wire segments and at least one generally horizontal rod member adjacent first and second edge portions of the one or more shelf members and configured for cooperatively creating the snap-fit connection.  
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the framework comprises first and second assemblies adjacent the respective first and second edge portions of the one or more shelf members, each said first and second assembly including at least two of said hanger members, at least one of said spanner member, and at least two of said elbows, wherein the generally vertical wire segments and generally horizontal rod member adjacent the first edge portion are disposed along a first side portion of the first assembly, and wherein the generally vertical wire segments and generally horizontal rod member adjacent the second edge portion are disposed along a second side portion of the second assembly generally opposite the first side portion.  
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the hanger members, spanner member, and elbows include generally C-shaped channels.  
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the elbows are configured to be at least partially received within the hanger member channels, and wherein the elbows are configured to be at least partially received within the spanner member channel.