Vertically retractable counterweighted rack for overhead closet storage

Abstract

A system and method of suspending retractable vertical storage is described. The wire shelving system method comprise, among other things, convenient storage of footwear, hand bags, and luggage across horizontal wire shelves. A conveyable, horizontal shelf apparatus is mounted to linear bearing drawer slides or extendable carriers allowing the apparatus to pull down, deploying for convenient access to shoes or other items stored on carrier shelves. The storage system and method is designed to utilize a very confined overhead area or void above closet doors and below the ceiling by allowing passage for the vertically retractable apparatus as to not interfere with existing closet functionality or significantly compromise your storage space typically in use. Thereby creating additional all-new storage in a useless void of space.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A vertically retractable storage apparatus specific for reach-in closets, comprising: a counterbalanced storage device that raises and lowers an overhead suspended shelf system specific for storing primarily footwear, luggage and other items as configured. 
     
     
         2 . Fully extendable telescoping linear bearing draw slides wall mounted with threaded fasteners attached to rigid brackets fastened vertically plumb to a closet header wall. 
     
     
         3 . Two opposing parallel vertical side mount plates fasten to extendable end of linear bearing drawer slides; are connected structurally by wire shelving and cross supports. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus vertical travels by a cable pulley system that is counterbalanced by:
 a hanging counterweight(s) or,   a load counterweighted force by constant torsion spring reel(s) or,   a second identical apparatus installed adjacent in long closet working in tandem to offset opposing down force of first apparatus to neutralize weight or counterbalance.   
     
     
         5 . A storage system and method to utilize a specific confined overhead void above closet doors and below the ceiling featuring without conflict to other closet functions; a tandem system that specifically fits standard closet widths, designs, layouts, and dimensions found in standard, sliding door, reach-in closets found in bedrooms, a single unit design that specifically fits standard closet widths, designs, layout, and dimensions found in standard reach-in closets that are found in hallways or bedrooms. 
     
     
         6 . The storage suspension system of  claim 5 , wherein the suspension apparatus is mounted away from shelving against the closet door header above and away from typically found stacked shelving contents or apparel adding all-new storage capacity. 
     
     
         7 . The storage suspension system of  claim 5 , wherein the suspension device is able to vacate the path to make functional use of standard shelving found in reach-in closets. 
     
     
         8 . The storage suspension system of  claim 4 , wherein the suspension device created overhead storage in a vacant void that remains counterbalanced in normal use since removal of a single or few pair of shoes will not affect the weight counterbalance or tandem load equalization enough to disturb the apparatus position set by the user. 
     
     
         9 . The storage suspension system of  claim 4  that requires no catch system to stop at any point in the travel range if the load of apparatus is significantly close in match by: a weight balance existing between left and right sides in the tandem installation, and a load balance is achieved with adjustable counterbalance mechanism or weight, and a combined system friction is enough to stop counterbalanced apparatus at will, and a reasonable push or pull initiates either up or down movement with minimal effort. 
     
     
         10 . A modular storage suspension system that is diverse for various configurations.