Motorized overhead stowage system

Abstract

A storage bin comprising: a receptacle for receiving items; a mounting support fixedly attached to a structure substantially above a floor; a mechanism for connecting the receptacle to the mounting support and guiding the receptacle downward from the mounting support to an open position and guiding the receptacle upward to the mounting support to a closed position, the mechanism comprising at least one pulley arranged to connect the receptacle to the mounting support via at least one link; a motor; a spool operable by the motor, wherein the spool is caused to move the receptacle downward when the at least one link is unwound from around the spool, and caused to move the receptacle upward when at least one link is wound around the spool.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A storage bin comprising:
 a receptacle for receiving items;   a mounting support fixedly attached to a structure substantially above a floor;   a mechanism for connecting the receptacle to the mounting support and guiding the receptacle downward from the mounting support to an open position and guiding the receptacle upward to the mounting support to a closed position, the mechanism comprising at least one pulley arranged to connect the receptacle to the mounting support via at least one link;   a motor;   a spool operable by the motor, wherein the spool is caused to move the receptacle downward when the at least one link is unwound from around the spool, and caused to move the receptacle upward when at least one link is wound around the spool.   
     
     
         2 . The storage bin of  claim 1 , wherein the motor is a servo motor. 
     
     
         3 . The storage bin of  claim 1 , wherein the downward motion is slowed by a dampener. 
     
     
         4 . The storage bin of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism is electronically activated. 
     
     
         5 . The storage bin of  claim 4 , wherein the mechanism is activated by a remote control. 
     
     
         6 . The storage bin of  claim 5 , wherein the remote control is a mobile application on a mobile device, the mobile application communicating with a sensor on the storage bin to activate the mechanism. 
     
     
         7 . The storage bin of  claim 5 , wherein the remote control is a radio frequency transmitter able to communicate with a receiver on the storage bin to activate the mechanism. 
     
     
         8 . The storage bin of  claim 1 , wherein the structure is a ceiling. 
     
     
         9 . The storage bin of  claim 1 , wherein the structure is a wall. 
     
     
         10 . The storage bin of  claim 1 , wherein the structure is a ceiling and a wall. 
     
     
         11 . The storage bin of  claim 1 , wherein the cover and the receptacle are made from plastic, recycled plastic, sheet metal or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The storage bin of  claim 1 , wherein the storage bin is refrigerated. 
     
     
         13 . The storage bin of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle frame comprises a top frame, a bottom frame, a back frame, and two side frames arranged to form a cuboid with a top opening. 
     
     
         14 . The storage bin of  claim 13 , wherein the top frame, bottom frame, back frame, and the two side frames accommodate paneling, forming a receptacle interior. 
     
     
         15 . The storage bin of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting support fixedly attached to a structure substantially above a floor. 
     
     
         16 . The storage bin of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one link is one of a chain, a cable, a cord, a belt, strap and a rope. 
     
     
         17 . A storage bin comprising:
 a receptacle for receiving items;   a mounting support fixedly attached to a structure substantially above a floor, the mounting support shaped to receive the receptacle frame; and   a mechanism for connecting the receptacle to the mounting support and guiding the receptacle downward from the mounting support to a first position to allow placement or retrieval of the items and guiding the receptacle upward to the mounting support to a second position adjacent to the mounting support for storage of the items, the mechanism comprises pulleys arranged to connect the receptacle to the mounting support via at least one link;   a RF-controlled motor having a receiver associated therewith for receiving controlling signals from a transmitter;   a spool operable by the RF-controlled motor, wherein the spool is caused to move the receptacle downward when the at least one link is unwound from around the spool, and caused to move the receptacle upward when the at least one link is wound around the spool.   
     
     
         18 . The storage bin of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one link is one of a chain, a cord, a cable, a belt, strap and a rope. 
     
     
         19 . The storage bin of  claim 17 , further comprising a braking mechanism. 
     
     
         20 . The storage bin of  claim 17 , wherein the braking mechanism is actuable remotely via at least one a remote control or a mobile device application.