Ceiling Mounted Tray Storage System

Abstract

A ceiling mounted and extendable tray apparatus is provided, in which a plurality of trays is supported from an overhead housing and operably lowered for access to equipment stored therein. The one or more trays are horizontally supported by an elongated arm that is slidably and pivotably attached to a housing mounted to the ceiling. Each of the trays is supported from the arm via a track along each tray side, while a secondary arm extends between the track and the arm to support the tray in a horizontal condition. Each of the trays is slidable from the elongated arm when lowered, while a slidable cover is disposed over each tray. The trays are aligned in a staggered configuration when deployed, and furthermore in a stacked and condensed state when stowed within the housing. A locking mechanism secures the lowermost tray against the housing to retain the trays therein.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A storage system, comprising:
 a housing having an interior volume, a plurality of sidewalls, and an open lower surface;   a pair of housing tracks along opposing sidewalls of said housing;   at least one elongated arm having an upper end, a length, and a lower end;   said upper end of each elongated arm slidably and rotatably connected to one of said housing tracks;   one or more trays having a forward edge, a rear edge, a lower surface and sidewalls;   tray tracks disposed along opposing sidewalls of each tray;   each elongated arm being slidably and rotatably connected to said tray tracks of each tray;   a secondary arm between each tray track and each elongated arm, said secondary arm having an upper end rotatably connected to an elongated arm, and a lower end slidably and rotatably connected to a tray track;   said one or more trays having a stowed state wherein each elongated arm and said one or more trays is positioned within said interior volume of said housing;   said one or more trays having a deployed state wherein each elongated arm is disposed at a downward angle and said one or more trays is positioned outside of said interior volume of said housing.   
     
     
         2 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said upper end of said at least one elongated arm rotates via a detented pin joint that allows rotation between a substantially horizontal and said downward angle.   
     
     
         3 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 each connected secondary arm, elongated arm, and tray form a triangle such that each tray is substantially horizontal.   
     
     
         4 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein a slider element is disposed along each housing track and connects said upper end of each elongated arm to said housing track. 
     
     
         5 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein a slider element is disposed along each tray track and connects each elongated arm to said tray track. 
     
     
         6 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein a slider element is disposed along each tray track and connects each secondary arm to said tray track. 
     
     
         7 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one elongated arm further comprises a first and second elongated arm, wherein said one or more trays are disposed between said first and second elongated arm. 
     
     
         8 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein each of said one or more trays further comprises a slidable cover. 
     
     
         9 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a slider element is disposed along each housing track and connects said upper end of each elongated arm to said housing track;   each of said housing tracks further comprising a first and second outer extent;   said first and second outer extent further comprising wheel locks to retain said slider element.   
     
     
         10 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a forward slider element is disposed along each tray track and connects each elongated arm to said tray track;   a rear slider element is disposed along each tray track and connects each secondary arm to said tray track   each of said tray tracks further comprising a first and second outer extent;   said first and second outer extent further comprising wheel locks to retain said forward slider element and said rear slider element.   
     
     
         11 . The storage system of  claim 1 , further comprising a spring element along at least of said elongated arms. 
     
     
         12 . The storage system of  claim 1 , further comprising a locking mechanism between a lowermost tray and said housing sidewalls.