Adjustable parts storage rack

Abstract

An adjustable storage rack for use with parts of a variety of shapes and sizes. An adjustable storage rack of the present invention allows for easy horizontal and/or vertical repositioning of the points of part support, thus rendering such a cart useable with dissimilar parts. Various part support structures may also be used, thereby further increasing the flexibility of a rack of the present invention. A part support structure of the present invention may be equipped with a latching mechanism that secures its vertical position. A storage rack of the present invention can be provided with wheels or other means for facilitating transport thereof. As such, a storage rack of the present invention can be used to transport, as well as store, parts.

1 . An adjustable parts storage rack, comprising:
 a base;   at least a left side, right side and rear side extending upwardly from said base;   an upper lateral positioning member extending across and substantially parallel to said rear side;   a lower lateral positioning member extending across and substantially parallel to said rear side;   at least one vertical support member extending between said upper and lower lateral positioning members, said at least one vertical support member moveable along the length of said upper and lower lateral positioning members; and   at least one part support structure adapted for repositionable and retained engagement with said at least one vertical support member;   whereby parts can be supported at a multitude of different horizontal and vertical locations within said rack.   
   
   
       2 . The adjustable parts storage rack of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of said base, left side, right side and rear side are comprised of a substantially open framework of interconnected frame members. 
   
   
       3 . The adjustable parts storage rack of  claim 1 , further comprising wheels associated with said base for facilitating transport of said rack. 
   
   
       4 . The adjustable parts storage rack of  claim 1 , wherein said upper lateral positioning member passes through an engaging member affixed to the top of said at least one vertical support member, said engaging member slidable along the length of said upper lateral positioning member. 
   
   
       5 . The adjustable parts storage rack of  claim 4 , wherein said upper lateral positioning member and said engaging member are both of circular cross-section. 
   
   
       6 . The adjustable parts storage rack of  claim 4 , further comprising a handle attached to said engaging member for facilitating the repositioning of said at least one vertical support member. 
   
   
       7 . The adjustable parts storage rack of  claim 1 , wherein said upper and lower lateral positioning members form a portion of said rear side. 
   
   
       8 . The adjustable parts storage rack of  claim 1 , wherein said upper and lower lateral positioning members reside interior to said rear side. 
   
   
       9 . The adjustable parts storage rack of  claim 1 , further comprising a bumper located to reside between said at least one vertical support member and parts stored in said rack. 
   
   
       10 . The adjustable parts storage rack of  claim 9 , wherein the vertical position of said bumper is adjustable. 
   
   
       11 . The adjustable parts storage rack of  claim 1 , further comprising a pivoting trailering tongue and hitch pin disposed on opposite ones of said left side and said right side, said trailering tongue and said hitch pin provided for the connection and transport of a series of racks. 
   
   
       12 . The adjustable parts storage rack of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more retention assisting features located on said vertical support member for assisting in the retention of said at least one part support structure. 
   
   
       13 . The adjustable parts storage rack of  claim 12 , wherein said one or more retention assisting features is a series of holes. 
   
   
       14 . The adjustable parts storage rack of  claim 13 , wherein said at least one part support structure includes a latching mechanism having a pin designed to mate with said holes, said latching mechanism operative to clamp said at least one part support structure to said at least one vertical support member after insertion of said pin into one of said holes. 
   
   
       15 . The adjustable parts storage rack of  claim 1 , further comprising a releasable mechanism for temporarily fixing the position of said at least one vertical support member along the length of said upper and lower lateral positioning members. 
   
   
       16 . An adjustable parts storage rack, comprising:
 a framework, said framework including:
 a base having a number of interconnected frame members, and 
 at least a left side, right side and rear side extending upwardly from said base, each of said left side, right side and rear side having a number of interconnected frame members, 
   wheels associated with said base;   an upper lateral positioning member extending between said left side and said right side of said framework and oriented substantially parallel to said rear side;   a lower lateral positioning member extending between said left side and said right side of said framework and oriented substantially parallel to said rear side;   a plurality of vertical support members coupled to said upper lateral positioning member and extending to said lower lateral positioning member, said vertical support members repositionable along the length of said upper and lower lateral positioning members;   a plurality of part support arms adapted for repositionable and retained engagement at multiple positions along the length of said vertical support members; and   a bumper located to reside between said vertical support members and parts stored in said rack;   whereby parts can be supported at a multitude of different horizontal and vertical locations within said rack.   
   
   
       17 . The adjustable parts storage rack of  claim 16 , wherein said vertical support members are coupled to said upper lateral positioning member in a pivotal arrangement. 
   
   
       18 . The adjustable parts storage rack of  claim 16 , further comprising one or more retention assisting features located on said vertical support members for assisting in the retention of said part support arms. 
   
   
       19 . The adjustable parts storage rack of  claim 18 , wherein said one or more retention assisting features is a series of holes. 
   
   
       20 . The adjustable parts storage rack of  claim 19 , wherein said part support arms include a latching mechanism having a pin designed to mate with said holes, said latching mechanism operative to clamp said part support arms to said vertical support members after insertion of said pin into one of said holes. 
   
   
       21 . The adjustable parts storage rack of  claim 16 , further comprising a releasable mechanism for temporarily fixing the position of said vertical support members along the length of said upper and lower lateral positioning members. 
   
   
       22 . A latching mechanism for providing clamped retention to a vertical member, comprising:
 an enclosure having four sides framing a substantially open interior;   a handle partially surrounding said enclosure and pivotally attached to said enclosure at opposite sides thereof;   a pair of angled grooves passing through opposite sides of said enclosure so as to at least partially underlie grooves passing through overlying portions of said handle;   a clamping roller located near a rearward portion of said interior of said enclosure and having a shaft with ends extending through said grooves in said enclosure and said handle;   a support pin located within said interior of said enclosure and extending toward said clamping roller from an opposite side of said enclosure; and   at least one spring for biasing said clamping roller toward said support pin;   wherein said vertical member includes at least one hole for receiving said support pin; and   wherein after location of said enclosure over said vertical member and insertion of said support pin into said at least one hole, a forward biasing of said clamping roller toward said support pin by said at least one spring causes said clamping roller to exert a clamping force against said vertical member that resists withdrawal of said support pin from said hole.   
   
   
       23 . The latching mechanism of  claim 22 , wherein said at least one spring extends between an upper pin associated with said enclosure and a lower pin associated with said handle. 
   
   
       24 . The latching mechanism of  claim 23 , wherein forced pivoting of said handle by a user overcomes the force exerted by said at least one spring and causes a rearward movement of the clamping roller.