Sliding and hinging racking and storage system

Abstract

A sliding and hinging racking and storage system comprising a frame attached to a base; bottom racks slideably received onto the frame such that the racks are slideable upwardly and downwardly along the frame in a vertical direction; top racks slideably received onto the frame such that the racks are slideable upwardly and downwardly along the frame in a vertical direction; and center racks hingeably received onto the frame such that the center racks can pivot between a closed position and an open position. When the center racks are in the open position, the top racks are moveable to a top rack center position and the bottom racks are moveable to a bottom rack center position.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A sliding and hinging racking and storage system which comprises:
 a) a frame attached to a base;   b) bottom racks slideably received onto the frame such that the racks are slideable upwardly and downwardly along the frame in a vertical direction;   c) top racks slideably received onto the frame such that the racks are slideable upwardly and downwardly along the frame in a vertical direction; and   d) center racks hingeably received onto the frame such that the center racks can pivot between a closed position and an open position;   
       such that when the center racks are in the open position, the top racks are moveable to a top rack center position and the bottom racks are moveable to a bottom rack center position. 
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein, when the center racks are in the closed position, the bottom racks are positioned adjacent the base below the centre racks at a bottom rack bottom position and the top racks are positioned above the centre racks at a top rack top position. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein, when the center racks are in the open position, the top racks are moveable between the top rack top position and the top rack center position and the bottom racks are simultaneously moveable between the bottom rack bottom position and the bottom rack center position. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the frame has a top edge opposite the base and a right groove running from the base to the top edge. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the top racks and the bottom racks each have:
 a back face, and   a first coupling member extending from each back face, each first coupling member configured to slidably engage with the right groove of the frame.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the frame has a left groove running parallel to the right groove from the base to the top edge of the frame. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the top racks and the bottom racks each have a second coupling member extending from the corresponding back face, each second coupling member configured to slidably engage with the left groove of the frame. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second coupling members are tongues. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the frame further comprises a right or first upright and a left or second upright, each first and second upright:
 extending from the base to the top edge, and   having an inner edge facing one another, and an opposed outer edge.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the left groove and the right groove are positioned proximate the inner edge of the corresponding first and second upright. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the centre racks are hingedly coupled proximate the outer edge of the left upright or the right upright. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the centre racks include right centre racks and left centre racks. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the right centre racks are hingedly coupled proximate the outer edge of the first upright, and the left centre racks are hingedly coupled proximate the outer edge of the second upright. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the frame further includes an internal gap between the first upright, the second upright, the base and the top edge. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the top racks have a length, width or height that is different from a corresponding length, width or height of the bottom racks. 
     
     
         16 . A sliding and hinging racking and storage system which comprises:
 a) a frame attached to a base, the frame having a top edge opposite the base and a groove running from the base to the top edge;   b) bottom racks slideably coupled with the groove such that the racks are slideable upwardly and downwardly along the frame in a vertical direction;   c) top racks slideably coupled with the groove such that the racks are slideable upwardly and downwardly along the frame in a vertical direction; and   d) center racks hingeably received onto the frame such that the center racks can pivot between a closed position and an open position;
 such that when the center racks are in the open position, the top racks are moveable to a top rack center position and the bottom racks are moveable to a bottom rack center position.