Storage system and methods

Abstract

A storage system that includes a storage rack and a plurality of containers. The storage rack includes a frame assembly, a plurality of shelf members, and at least one biasing member. The biasing member is positioned on one of the shelf members and extends into a storage space defined two adjacent shelves that is sized to receive a container. The biasing member applies a biasing force upon a container positioned in the storage space thereby retaining the container in the storage rack. The biasing member can be a separately formed piece that is mounted to the shelf member. Alternatively, the biasing member can be formed integral with the shelf member such that addition of the biasing member to the storage rack does not require additional material.

1 . A storage rack, comprising:
 a frame assembly;   first and second shelf members arranged in parallel and supported by the frame, wherein the shelf members are spaced apart within the frame assembly to define a storage space that is sized to house a container; and   a biasing member extending from at least one of the first and second shelf members into the storage space, the biasing member configured to exert a biasing force upon a container housed in the storage space in a direction toward the other of the first and second shelf members to retain the container in the frame assembly.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the frame assembly includes four vertically arranged supports, and the first and second shelf members are each supported by the four vertically arranged supports. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second shelf members are rectangular shaped having four corners, and one of the four vertically arranged supports is positioned at each of the four corners. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first shelf member is positioned vertically above the second shelf member, and the biasing member is positioned on a vertically upward facing surface of the second member. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first shelf member is positioned vertically above the second shelf member, and the biasing member is positioned on a vertically downward facing surface of the first member. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the frame assembly defines an opening into the storage space along one side surface of the frame assembly that is sized to receive the container. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the biasing member is integral with one of the first and second shelf members. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the biasing member includes at least one bend formed therein. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein biasing member includes a contoured portion. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising first and second biasing members extending from at least one of the first and second shelf members. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second biasing members are constructed with substantially the same size and shape. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the first biasing member extends from the at least one of the first and second shelf members in a first direction, and the second biasing member extends from the at least one of the first and second shelf members in a second direction that is opposite the first direction. 
   
   
       13 . A storage system, comprising:
 a storage container; and   a storage rack, comprising:
 a frame assembly; 
 first and second shelf members arranged in parallel and supported by the frame, wherein the shelf members are spaced apart within the frame assembly to define a storage space sized to house the storage container; and 
 a biasing member extending from one of the first and second shelf members into the storage space, the biasing member configured to exert a biasing force upon the container. 
   
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the frame assembly is arranged vertically, and the first and second shelf members are arranged horizontally. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the storage container is cuboid shaped and the storage space is cuboid shaped. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the biasing member applies the biasing force in a vertically upward direction or vertically downward direction. 
   
   
       17 . A method of retaining a container in a storage rack, the storage rack including a frame assembly, at least one shelf member, and a biasing member, the biasing member positioned on the at least one shelf member, and the frame assembly defining a storage space adjacent the at least one shelf member, the method comprising:
 inserting the container into the storage space and supported on the at least one shelf member; and   applying a biasing force upon the container with the biasing member while the container is supported on the at least one shelf member to retain the container within the storage rack.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein applying the biasing force includes directing the biasing force in a direction vertically upward or vertically downward. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the storage rack includes first and second shelf members that are spaced apart vertically within the frame, the biasing member positioned on one of the first and second shelf members, and the step of applying a biasing force includes engaging the container against one of the first and second shelf members with the biasing forces from the biasing member. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the frame assembly is arranged vertically and the at least one shelf member is arranged horizontally, and the frame assembly defines engagement surfaces along three vertically arranges sides of the storage rack and an opening along a fourth vertically arranged side of the storage rack, the step of inserting the container includes engaging the container against at least one of the engagement surfaces defined by the frame assembly.