Horizontal Storage System

Abstract

An overhead rack system is provided that may be mounted to the ceiling of a structure such as a garage for storing items in an organized manner off the floor. Overhead rack system is designed to make use of a garage's previously unused ceiling space, allowing home owners to store their items overhead and out of the way. The system is ideally configured for storing large or heavy items that otherwise can quickly fill a garage's available floor space.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . An overhead horizontal storage system comprising:
 a storage system mounting track configured for securing the overhead rack system to a structure;   a plurality of upper beam members, secured to said storage system mounting track;   a plurality of lower beam members pivotally connected to said plurality of upper beam members; and   a base channel assembly coupled to said plurality of lower beam members for supporting items when moving said horizontal storage system between a substantially vertical loading position and a substantially horizontal storing position.   
     
     
         20 . The overhead horizontal storage system of  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of lower beam members are pivotally connected to the plurality of upper beam members using a cam and channel assembly and spring-assist lift system 
     
     
         21 . The overhead storage system of  claim 19 , wherein said storage system mounting track further comprises an upper bracket member and a lower extension assembly, said lower extension assembly configured to fit within the interior of the upper bracket member and move in a telescoping manner relative thereto, said telescoping movement providing an adjustable distance between said structure and an end of the mounting track opposite said location where said mounting track is mounted to said structure. 
     
     
         22 . The overhead horizontal storage system of  claim 19 , wherein said structure is at least one ceiling joist. 
     
     
         23 . The overhead storage system of  claim 20 , wherein said cam and channel assembly further comprises a cam member attached to said lower beam member and a channel member attached to said upper beam member, wherein said cam member fits within and rotates relative to the channel member, thereby allowing lower beam member to rotate relative to upper beam member. 
     
     
         24 . The overhead storage system of  claim 23 , wherein said spring lift assembly further comprises a spring assembly coupled to the upper beam member using a first ring assembly and to the lower beam member using a second ring assembly. 
     
     
         25 . The overhead storage system of  claim 19 , wherein said base channel assembly is a bike lift channel assembly configured to support a bicycle. 
     
     
         26 . The overhead storage system of  claim 25 , further comprising a plurality of VELCRO® straps to secure a bicycle to said plurality of lower beam members. 
     
     
         27 . The overhead storage system of  claim 19 , wherein said base channel assembly is a package base assembly configured to support a storage container. 
     
     
         28 . The overhead storage system of  claim 27 , further comprising a plurality of VELCRO® straps to secure said storage container to said plurality of lower beam members. 
     
     
         29 . The overhead horizontal storage system of  claim 19 , wherein said structure is an overhead rack system. 
     
     
         30 . An overhead horizontal storage system comprising:
 a storage system mounting track configured for securing the overhead rack system to at least one ceiling joist;   a plurality of upper beam members, secured to said storage system mounting track;   a plurality of lower beam members pivotally connected to said plurality of upper beam members using a cam and channel assembly; and   a base channel assembly coupled to said plurality of lower beam members for supporting items when moving said horizontal storage system between a substantially vertical loading position and a substantially horizontal storing position.   
     
     
         31 . The overhead storage system of  claim 30 , wherein said cam and channel assembly further comprises a cam member attached to said lower beam member and a channel member attached to said upper beam member, wherein said cam member fits within and rotates relative to the channel member, thereby allowing lower beam member to rotate relative to upper beam member. 
     
     
         32 . The overhead storage system of  claim 31 , further comprising a spring-assist lift system for helping move said horizontal storage system between a substantially vertical loading position and a substantially horizontal storing position. 
     
     
         33 . The overhead storage system of  claim 32 , wherein said spring lift assembly further comprises a spring assembly coupled to the upper beam member using a first ring assembly and to the lower beam member using a second ring assembly. 
     
     
         34 . The overhead storage system of  claim 30 , wherein said base channel assembly is a bike lift channel assembly configured to support a bicycle. 
     
     
         35 . The overhead storage system of  claim 34 , further comprising a plurality of VELCRO® straps to secure a bicycle to said plurality of lower beam members. 
     
     
         36 . The overhead storage system of  claim 30 , wherein said base channel assembly is a package base assembly configured to support a storage container. 
     
     
         37 . The overhead storage system of  claim 36 , further comprising a plurality of VELCRO straps to secure said storage container to said plurality of lower beam members. 
     
     
         38 . A method for an overhead horizontal storage system comprising:
 providing an overhead horizontal storage system comprising,
 a storage system mounting track configured for securing the overhead rack system to a structure; 
 a plurality of upper beam members, secured to said storage system mounting track; 
 a plurality of lower beam members pivotally connected to said plurality of upper beam members; and 
 a base channel assembly coupled to said plurality of lower beam members for supporting items when moving said horizontal storage system between a substantially vertical loading position and a substantially horizontal storing position.