Modular Storage System

Abstract

A modular storage system comprises boxes and/or bridge frame members. The frame members each have longitudinal tracks and grooves, which allow members to be slotted together to form a rigid, 2-dimensional frame in which drawers can be inserted.

1 . A modular storage system comprising a plurality of frame members, wherein each frame member has a first surface opposed to a second surface, and a first side surface opposed to a second side surface, wherein the frame member includes a first track and a second track extending along the frame member in a longitudinal direction, the first track protruding outwardly from the first surface and the second track protruding outwardly from the second side surface, the frame member further including a first groove and a second groove extending along the frame member in a longitudinal direction, the first groove being recessed inwardly of the second surface and the second groove being recessed inwardly of the first side surface, wherein the first groove is complementary in shape to the first track such that a first track of a first frame member may locate within the first groove of a second frame member, and the second groove is complementary in shape to the second track such that a second track of the first frame member may locate within the second groove of a third frame member. 
   
   
       2 . The modular storage system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second tracks is formed by the insertion of a bead within a third groove. 
   
   
       3 . A modular storage system comprising a plurality of frame members, wherein each frame member has a first surface opposed to a second surface, wherein the frame member includes a first track extending along the frame member in a longitudinal direction, the first track protruding outwardly from the first surface, the frame member further including a first groove extending along the frame member in a longitudinal direction, the first groove being recessed inwardly of the second surface, the first groove having a corresponding track on an opposing side of the second surface, wherein the first groove is complementary in shape to the first track such that a first track of a first frame member may locate within the first groove of a second frame member, and wherein, in use, a drawer may locate in relation to and slide along the tracks corresponding to the first groove. 
   
   
       4 . A modular storage system comprising a plurality of frame members, wherein each frame member has a first surface opposed to a second surface, and a first side surface opposed to a second side surface, wherein the frame member includes a first track extending along the frame member in a longitudinal direction, the first track protruding outwardly from the first surface, the frame member further including a first groove, a second groove, and a third groove extending along the frame member in a longitudinal direction, the first groove being recessed inwardly of the second surface, the second groove being recessed inwardly of the first side surface, and the third groove being recessed inwardly of the second side surface, wherein the first groove is complementary in shape to the first track such that a first track of a first frame member may locate within the first groove of a second frame member, and the second and third grooves are complementary in shape to a bead such that a second groove of the first frame member may locate adjacent the second groove of a third frame member, and the first frame member and third frame member may be connected by a bead. 
   
   
       5 . A frame member for use in a modular storage system, the frame member comprising:
 a first surface opposed to a second surface;   a first track extending along the frame member in a longitudinal direction, the first track protruding outwardly from the first surface; and   a first groove extending along the frame member in a longitudinal direction, the first groove being recessed inwardly of the second surface, wherein the first groove is complementary in shape to the first track such that a first track of a first frame member may locate within the first groove of a second frame member,   wherein the frame member is in the form of a box extrusion.   
   
   
       6 . The frame member of  claim 5 , wherein the box extrusion has a top face, the first surface comprising an outwardly facing side of the top face; and a bottom face; the second surface comprising an outwardly facing side of the bottom face. 
   
   
       7 . The frame member of  claim 6 , further comprising a second track extending along the frame member in a longitudinal direction, wherein the first and second tracks are formed by an apparent deformation in the cross sectional shape of the top and bottom faces. 
   
   
       8 . The frame member of  claim 5 , wherein the box extrusion is substantially square in cross-section. 
   
   
       9 . The frame member of  claim 8 , wherein the first surface includes two first tracks and the second surface includes two first grooves. 
   
   
       10 . The frame member of  claim 5 , wherein the box extrusion is substantially rectangular in cross-section. 
   
   
       11 . The frame member of  claim 10 , wherein the first surface includes four first tracks and the second surface includes four first grooves. 
   
   
       12 . A frame member for use in a modular storage system, the frame member comprising:
 a first surface opposed to a second surface;   a first track extending along the frame member in a longitudinal direction, the first track protruding outwardly from the first surface; and   a first groove extending along the frame member in a longitudinal direction, the first groove being recessed inwardly of the second surface, wherein the first groove is complementary in shape to the first track such that a first track of a first frame member may locate within the first groove of a second frame member,   wherein the frame member is in the form of a bridge extrusion, being a longitudinally extending, substantially flat member.   
   
   
       13 . The frame member of  claim 12 , wherein the first track and the first groove are formed by an apparent deformation in the cross sectional shape of the bridge extrusion. 
   
   
       14 . The frame member of  claim 6 , wherein the box extrusion is substantially square in cross-section. 
   
   
       15 . The frame member of  claim 7 , wherein the box extrusion is substantially square in cross-section. 
   
   
       16 . The frame member of  claim 14 , wherein the first surface includes two first tracks and the second surface includes two first grooves. 
   
   
       17 . The frame member of  claim 15 , wherein the first surface includes two first tracks and the second surface includes two first grooves. 
   
   
       18 . The frame member of  claim 6 , wherein the box extrusion is substantially rectangular in cross-section. 
   
   
       19 . The frame member of  claim 7 , wherein the box extrusion is substantially rectangular in cross-section. 
   
   
       20 . The frame member of  claim 18 , wherein the first surface includes four first tracks and the second surface includes four first grooves. 
   
   
       21 . The frame member of  claim 19 , wherein the first surface includes four first tracks and the second surface includes four first grooves.