Storage system

Abstract

A storage apparatus includes a reconfigurable mounting assembly adapted to couple to a ceiling. The mounting assembly includes an activatable drive system and a plurality of flexible members. The storage system includes a platform assembly that has a platform base and at least one post extending upwardly from the platform base. The activatable drive system is capable of moving the platform assembly between a raised position to fixedly couple the at least one post to the mounting assembly and a lowered position to suspend the platform assembly under the mounting assembly by the plurality of flexible members. The storage system can be installed by coupling the mounting assembly to the at least one joist. The platform assembly is connected to the mounting assembly via the plurality of flexible members.

1 . A storage apparatus, comprising:
 a mounting assembly including a plurality of brackets, an activatable drive system having a rotatable shaft with a plurality of spools, and a plurality of flexible elongate members connected to corresponding spools of the activatable drive system;   a platform assembly including a platform base for supporting items, the plurality of elongate members extending generally perpendicularly from the platform base and supported by rollers connected to the brackets such that the platform assembly is movable between a raised position to lock the platform assembly to the mounting assembly and a lowered position to suspend the platform assembly under the mounting assembly by the plurality of elongate members, the platform base being substantially level as the platform assembly is moved between the raised position and the lowered position; and   a leveling mechanism operable to adjust the orientation of the platform base with respect to the mounting assembly while the platform assembly is suspended under the mounting assembly.   
   
   
       2 . The storage apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the platform base is a generally rectangular base having four corners, and each elongate member extends between one of the corners and the mounting assembly. 
   
   
       3 . The storage apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the leveling mechanism is carried within the platform assembly and coupled to at least one of the flexible elongate members. 
   
   
       4 . A storage system, comprising:
 a reconfigurable mounting assembly adapted to couple to at least one joist, the mounting assembly including an activatable drive system and a plurality of flexible members; and   a platform assembly including a base and at least one post extending upwardly from the base, the plurality of flexible members extend between the drive system and the platform assembly such that the drive system is capable of moving the platform assembly between a raised position to disengage the at least one post from the mounting assembly and to engage the at least one post with the mounting assembly and a lowered position to suspend the platform assembly under the mounting assembly via the plurality of flexible members.   
   
   
       5 . The storage system of  claim 4 , wherein each of the flexible members is a strap wound about a shaft of the activatable drive system. 
   
   
       6 . The storage system of  claim 4 , further comprising a leveling mechanism operable to adjust an orientation of the base with respect to the mounting assembly while the platform assembly is suspended from the mounting assembly. 
   
   
       7 . The storage system of  claim 4 , further comprising means for leveling the platform assembly. 
   
   
       8 . The storage system of  claim 4 , wherein an upper end of the at least one post is spaced apart from and below at least one elongate stabilizer of the mounting assembly when the platform assembly is in the lowered position. 
   
   
       9 . The storage system of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one post has an adjustable longitudinal length. 
   
   
       10 . The storage system of  claim 4 , wherein the mounting assembly includes four stabilizers and the at least one post includes four posts positioned with respect to the four stabilizers such that the stabilizers slide into corresponding posts of the platform assembly. 
   
   
       11 . The storage system of  claim 4 , wherein the activatable drive system includes a motor that is capable moving the platform assembly between the raised position and the lowered position when the base supports at least 100 lbs. 
   
   
       12 . The storage system of  claim 4 , wherein the mounting assembly is fixedly coupled to a ceiling of a garage. 
   
   
       13 . The storage system of  claim 4 , wherein the base is a planar deck. 
   
   
       14 . The storage system of  claim 4 , wherein the activatable drive system includes a motor that keeps the platform assembly in the raised position when in an OFF state and that moves the platform assembly when in an ON state. 
   
   
       15 . A method comprising:
 coupling a mounting assembly to a ceiling of a garage;   connecting a platform assembly to the mounting assembly via a plurality of flexible members; and   moving the platform assembly between an elevated position to fix the platform assembly to the mounting assembly and a lowered position to suspend the platform assembly under the mounting assembly by the plurality of flexible members.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 leveling the platform assembly using a leveling mechanism after connecting the platform assembly to the mounting assembly.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein moving the platform assembly includes translating a planar deck of the platform assembly between the elevated position and the lowered position. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 loading items on a planar deck of the platform assembly when the platform assembly is in the lowered position; and   raising the platform assembly carrying the items to the elevated position to store the items.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the flexible members are wound about respective spools of a drive system when the platform assembly is moved towards the elevated position.