Extendable Storage Component for a Storage System

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for supporting an extendable and retractable storage component between two cantilevered brackets of a storage or organization system, to which have been mounted drawer slides. A hanging bracket, to which a drawer slide may be joined, is suspended from one side of a cantilevered bracket by a connector that cooperates with a ledge projecting from the side of the cantilevered bracket to position and orient the drawer slide to extend in a direction parallel to the axis of the cantilevered bracket. Spacers mounted on the drawer slide engage the underside of the ledge and the side of the hanging bracket help to stabilize the hanging bracket by interfering with movement of the drawer slide associated with swinging and pivoting of the hanging bracket about it axes parallel and transverse to the axis of the cantilevered bracket that extending through the connector.

1 . An apparatus for supporting an extendable and retractable storage component between two cantilevered brackets, the apparatus comprising:
 a cantilevered bracket having a proximal end with connection interface for a vertical standard and an elongated length extending along an axis and terminating with a free, distal end; and   a hanging bracket suspended from one side of the elongated length of the cantilevered bracket, the hanging bracket having a member to orient extension of a drawer slide joined to the cantilevered bracket in a direction parallel to the axis of the cantilevered bracket.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the hanging bracket comprises an integrated connector with a horizontally extending portion, the integrated connector being shaped and positioned on the hanging bracket to cooperate with a complementary structure defined on the cantilevered bracket that comprises a horizontal surface that interferes with downward movement of the horizontally extending portion. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein, when the hanging bracket is suspended in a position that orients a drawer slide joined to it to extend in a direction parallel to the axis of the cantilevered bracket, the hanging bracket is in a first position, and wherein the connector and complementary structure are shaped for the connector to be insertable into and removable from the complimentary structure when the hanging bracket is in a second position that is not the first position. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein, when the connector is inserted into the complementary structure, the hanging bracket may be rotated between the first and second positions. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the when the connector is inserted into the complementary structure, the hanging bracket may only be rotated between the first and second positions. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the bracket further comprises a ledge projecting in a generally horizontal direction from the side of the elongated length of the cantilevered bracket, the ledge comprising the horizontal surface. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the ledge defines an opening for receiving the connector. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus  claim 2 , wherein the connector comprises an extension projecting from a top portion of the hanging bracket, the extension having a horizontal portion is configured to interfere with the horizontal surface. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hanging bracket is not connected with the cantilevered bracket with an additional fastener. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one spacer shaped for mounting to a drawer slide to be joined to the hanging bracket in a position that is between the drawer slide when it is joined to the hanging bracket and the side of the elongated length of the cantilevered bracket, each of the at least one spacers having a shape and size for interfering with movement of the drawer slide toward the side of the bracket due to swinging of the hanging bracket. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising at least one spacer adapted for mounting to a drawer slide to be joined to the hanging bracket in a position between the drawer slide when joined to the hanging bracket and the side of the elongated length of the cantilevered bracket, each of the at least one spacers being shaped and sized to interfere with movement of the drawer slide toward the side of the bracket due to swinging of the hanging bracket and to interfere with movement of the drawer slide toward the ledge due to pivoting of the hanging bracket. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein a top portion of each of the at least one spacers has a top portion that extends transversely to the axis and interferes with movement of the drawer slide away from the side of the elongated length of the cantilevered bracket due to swinging of the hanging bracket. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein each of the at least one spacer has a shape that complements the drawer slide to be joined to the hanging bracket and assists with retaining the spacer on the drawer slide. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein each of the at least one spacer is retained on the drawer slide without additional fasteners. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a first drawer slide joined to the hanging bracket, wherein the apparatus is in combination with another cantilevered bracket supporting a second drawer slide and a storage component supported between the cantilevered brackets by each of the drawer slides and extendable forwardly from between the cantilevered bracket by extension of the drawer slides. 
     
     
         16 . A method for supporting an extendable and retractable storage component between two cantilevered brackets, each with an interface at a proximal end connected with a vertical standard and a free, distal end, the method comprising:
 suspending a hanging bracket along one side of an elongated length of each of the cantilevered brackets;   joining a drawer slide to each hanging bracket, the hanging bracket having a member to orient extension of the drawer slide in a direction parallel to an elongated axis of the cantilevered bracket; and   supporting a storage component on each of the drawer slides between the cantilevered brackets, whereby the storage component can be extended forwardly from between the cantilevered bracket by extension of the drawer slides.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the hanging bracket comprises an integrated connector with a horizontally extending portion, the integrated connector being shaped and positioned on the hanging bracket to cooperate with a complementary structure that is defined on the cantilevered bracket, the complementary structure comprising a horizontal surface that interferes with downward movement of the horizontally extending portion. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein
 the hanging bracket is in a first position when the hanging bracket is suspended in a position that orients the drawer slide that is joined to it so that it extends in a direction parallel to the axis of the cantilevered bracket: and   the connector and complementary structure are shaped for the connector to be insertable into and removable from the complimentary structure when the hanging bracket is in a second position that is not the first position.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the hanging bracket may be rotated between the first and second positions when the connector is inserted into the complementary structure. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising mounting at least one spacer between the drawer slide and the side of the elongated length of each cantilevered bracket, each of the at least one spacers having a shape and size to limit movement of the drawer slide toward the side of the bracket due to swinging of the hanging bracket.