Rotating vertical storage system for barrels

Abstract

A rotating vertical storage system for barrels is provided. The system may comprise a first vertical support tower and a second vertical support tower. A first vertical support tower may have a first upper sprocket wheel and a first lower sprocket wheel with a first carrier chain rotationally coupled to the upper and lower first sprocket wheels. A second vertical support tower may have a second upper sprocket wheel and a second lower sprocket wheel with a second carrier chain rotationally coupled to the upper and lower second sprocket wheels. The system may further include a first cradle with a first end coupled to the first carrier chain and with a second end coupled to the second carrier chain. The cradle may comprise a plurality of barrel receiving valleys adapted to removably secure a plurality of barrels such as kegs.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A rotating vertical storage system for removably securing a barrel, the system comprising:
 a. a first vertical support tower having a first upper wheel and a first lower wheel with a first carrier chain rotationally coupled to said upper and lower first wheels;   b. a second vertical support tower having a second upper wheel and a second lower wheel with a second carrier chain rotationally coupled to said upper and lower second wheels;   c. a first cradle with a first end coupled to said first carrier chain and with a second end coupled to said second carrier chain and a front carrier load bar positioned between the first end and the second end, said cradle comprising a barrel receiving valley configured to removably secure the barrel; and   d. a front restraint member positioned above the front carrier load bar and configured to block forward movement of the barrel.   
     
     
         2 . The rotating vertical storage system of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of cradles with each cradle having a plurality of barrel receiving valleys adapted to removably secure a plurality of barrels. 
     
     
         3 . The rotating vertical storage system of  claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of barrels removably secured within the plurality of barrel receiving valleys, said plurality of barrels vertically and horizontally oriented relative to each other and the system configured to vertically rotate each of the cradles in a vertical direction. 
     
     
         4 . The rotating vertical storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the first cradle comprises a back restraint member configured to arrest the rearward movement of the barrel when placed within the barrel receiving valley of the first cradle. 
     
     
         5 . The rotating vertical storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the front restraint member comprises a lip configured to engage with a rim of the barrel. 
     
     
         6 . The rotating vertical storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the cradle comprises at least two lateral barrel restraints configured to arrest the lateral movement of the barrel, each lateral barrel restraint forming a lateral perimeter wall of the barrel receiving valley. 
     
     
         7 . The rotating vertical storage system of  claim 6 , wherein the lateral barrel restraints are configured to contact a barrel at a non-right angle relative to the front carrier load bar. 
     
     
         8 . A rotating storage device, the device comprising:
 a. a first vertical support tower having a first upper wheel and a first lower wheel with a first carrier chain rotationally coupled to said upper and lower first wheels;   b. a second vertical support tower having a second upper wheel and a second lower wheel with a second carrier chain rotationally coupled to said upper and lower second wheels;   c. a first cradle with a first end coupled to said first carrier chain and with a second end coupled to said second carrier chain and a front carrier load bar positioned between the first end and the second end;   d. a barrel receiving valley located between the first and the second end of the first cradle and where the barrel receiving valley is bordered latterly by a first lateral barrel restraint and a second lateral barrel restraint, the first and second lateral barrel restraints having one of an angled and contoured sidewall suitable for making contact with a rounded wall of a keg barrel; and   e. a motor for motivating at least one of the first carrier chain and the second carrier chain.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second lateral barrel restraints comprise a receiver slot. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the receiver slot is configured to receive a back restraint plate. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 8  further comprising a front restraint member positioned above the front carrier load bar. 
     
     
         12 . A rotating vertical storage system for removably securing a barrel, the system comprising:
 a. a first vertical support tower having a first upper wheel and a first lower wheel with a first carrier chain rotationally coupled to said upper and lower first wheels;   b. a second vertical support tower having a second upper wheel and a second lower wheel with a second carrier chain rotationally coupled to said upper and lower second wheels;   c. a first cradle with a first end pivotably coupled to said first carrier chain with a first carrier load pin and with a second end pivotably coupled to said second carrier chain with a second carrier load pin so that the first cradle may pivot relative to a horizontal plane;   d. a front carrier load bar positioned between the first end and the second end, said first cradle comprising a barrel receiving valley configured to removably secure the barrel; and   e. a motor for motivating at least one of the first carrier chain and the second carrier chain.