Thread Storage Assemblies and Systems

Abstract

According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are provided of thread storage assemblies, systems, and/or cabinets. In an exemplary embodiment, a thread storage assembly generally includes multiple vertical shelves that are arranged in parallel with each other. The vertical shelves may be pull-out shelves configured to slide forward and backward. Each vertical shelf may include multiple horizontal shelves or racks that include multiple removable spindles and/or that are rotatable between a horizontal position and a tilted position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A thread storage assembly comprising:
 multiple vertical shelves, each vertical shelf substantially parallel with the other vertical shelves and configured to slide along an axis substantially perpendicular to a vertical axis of the vertical shelf, each vertical shelf including:
 multiple horizontal shelves, each horizontal shelf including multiple spindles disposed substantially perpendicular with respect to the horizontal shelf, each spindle configured to store one or more thread spools; 
   wherein each horizontal shelf is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the horizontal shelf between at least a horizontal position and a tilted position that allows thread spools to be added and removed from one or more spindles of the horizontal shelf without interfering with another horizontal shelf.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 each vertical shelf includes multiple pairs of slots having open end portions; and   each horizontal shelf includes opposite ends and one or more protruding portions at each opposite end that are configured to be slidably received within the open end portions of a corresponding pair of slots.   
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more protruding portions comprise knobs at each opposite end that are horizontally spaced apart and vertically aligned when the horizontal shelf is horizontal. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the slots include horizontal portions and lower portions; and   the knobs are configured to be slid horizontally along the horizontal portions of a corresponding pair of slots and then lowered vertically downward into the lower portions of the corresponding pair of slots;   whereby the positioning of the knobs into the lower portions of the corresponding pair of slots helps hold the horizontal shelf in place.   
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the slots include upper portions that extend generally upwardly from the horizontal portions and then extend generally downwardly to closed ends of the upper portions; and   corresponding ones of the knobs are received within the upper portions of the corresponding pair of slots when the horizontal shelf is rotated from the horizontal position to the tilted position.   
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the corresponding ones of the knobs rest against the closed ends of the upper portions of the corresponding pair of slots to help hold the horizontal shelf in the tilted position. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each vertical shelf comprises a pull-out shelf configured to slide forwards and backwards along the axis substantially perpendicular to the vertical axis of the vertical shelf. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein each vertical shelf comprises a full extension vertical shelf configured to allow access to all spindles of the vertical shelf when the vertical shelf is in a fully extended position. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each spindle is removable from its respective horizontal shelf. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein each horizontal shelf includes one or more spindle holes, and wherein each spindle is configured to be removably received in a corresponding spindle hole of its respective horizontal shelf. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each vertical shelf includes multiple slots along the vertical axis of the vertical shelf, each horizontal shelf being adjustable at set increments along the vertical axis of its respective vertical shelf, the set increments corresponding to the horizontal shelf being received in at least one of the multiple slots. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein each horizontal shelf is adjustable along a vertical axis of its respective vertical shelf, thereby allowing taller spools of thread to be stored on one or more spindles of the horizontal shelf. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one bin opening disposed adjacent to at least one vertical shelf; and   at least one drawer disposed below at least one vertical shelf.   
     
     
         14 . A thread spool storage system comprising:
 a plurality of vertical shelves, each vertical shelf substantially parallel with the other vertical shelves and configured to slide forwards and backwards between an open position and a closed position along an axis substantially perpendicular to a vertical axis of the vertical shelf, each vertical shelf including:   a plurality of horizontal shelves, each horizontal shelf configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the horizontal shelf between at least a horizontal position and a tilted position, each horizontal shelf including a plurality of removable spindles disposed substantially perpendicular with respect to the horizontal shelf, each spindle configured to store one or more thread spools.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein:
 each vertical shelf includes multiple pairs of slots having open end portions, each corresponding pair of slots being vertically aligned and positioned across from each other;   each horizontal shelf includes opposite ends and one or more protruding portions at each opposite end that are configured to be slidably received within the open end portions of a corresponding pair of slots.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the one or more protruding portions comprise knobs at each opposite end that are horizontally spaced apart and vertically aligned when the horizontal shelf is horizontal;   the slots include horizontal portions and lower portions; and   the knobs are configured to be slid horizontally along the horizontal portions of a corresponding pair of slots and then lowered vertically downward into the lower portions of the corresponding pair of slots;   whereby positioning of the knobs into the lower portions of the corresponding pair of slots helps hold the horizontal shelf in place.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the slots include upper portions that extend generally upwardly from the horizontal portions and then extend generally downwardly to closed ends of the upper portions; and   corresponding ones of the knobs are received within the upper portions of the corresponding pair of slots when the horizontal shelf is rotated from the horizontal position to the tilted position;   whereby corresponding ones of the knobs rest against the closed ends of the upper portions of the corresponding pair of slots to help hold the horizontal shelf in the tilted position.   
     
     
         18 . A thread spool storage cabinet comprising:
 at least one vertical shelf slidable forwards and backwards between an open position and a closed position, the at least one vertical shelf including multiple pairs of slots having open end portions, each corresponding pair of slots being vertically aligned and positioned across from each other;   a plurality of racks slidably mountable to and removable from the at least one vertical shelf such that the racks are rotatable between at least a horizontal position and a tilted position when mounted to the at least one vertical shelf;   wherein the racks include opposite ends, one or more protruding portions at the opposite ends, and a plurality of removable spindles spaced apart from each other along the racks between the opposite ends, each spindle configured to store one or more thread spools; and   wherein the one or more protruding portions of the racks are configured to be slidably received within the open end portions of the corresponding pairs of slots to thereby slidably mount the racks to the at least one vertical shelf.   
     
     
         19 . The cabinet of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the one or more protruding portions comprise knobs at each opposite end that are horizontally spaced apart and vertically aligned when the horizontal shelf is horizontal;   the slots include horizontal portions, lower portions, and upper portions that extend generally upwardly from the horizontal portions and then extend generally downwardly to closed ends of the upper portions;   the knobs are configured to be slid horizontally along the horizontal portions of a corresponding pair of slots and then lowered vertically downward into the lower portions of the corresponding pair of slots, whereby positioning of the knobs into the lower portions of the corresponding pair of slots helps hold the horizontal shelf in place; and   corresponding ones of the knobs are received within the upper portions of the corresponding pair of slots when the horizontal shelf is rotated from the horizontal position to the tilted position, whereby corresponding ones of the knobs rest against the closed ends of the upper portions of the corresponding pair of slots to help hold the horizontal shelf in the tilted position.   
     
     
         20 . The cabinet of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the cabinet further comprises at least one bin opening disposed adjacent to the at least one vertical shelf and at least one drawer disposed below the at least one vertical shelf; and   at least one vertical shelf comprises a plurality of vertical shelves.