Easy access shelving assembly

Abstract

An apparatus and methods are provided for a multiple tray assembly that provides easy access to various small parts or ingredients. The multiple tray assembly comprises one or more tray assemblies, a mounting portion, and an axle coupling the tray assemblies with the mounting portion. The mounting portion is configured to be attached to an underside of a countertop or workbench. Each tray assembly holds a tray and is rotatable relative to the mounting portion. Protrusions disposed around a circumference of each tray assembly facilitate using fingers to move the tray assemblies with respect to the mounting portion. The axle has a length for coupling one or more tray assemblies with the mounting portion, and the diameter of the axle allows for rotation of the tray assemblies. During use, the tray assemblies can be quickly and easily rotated out from under the countertop or workbench to access stored items.

1 . An apparatus for storing items, comprising:
 one or more tray assemblies;   a mounting portion; and   an axle coupling the one or more tray assemblies with the mounting portion.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more tray assemblies comprises a tray assembly that includes a tray support portion and a support portion. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the tray support portion comprises a ring-like member having a central opening configured to receive a suitably shaped and sized tray that is configured to store the items. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the tray support portion is made of a rigid material that is capable of supporting the combined weight of the tray and the weight of the stored items without warping or bending out of shape. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein multiple protrusions are disposed around the circumference of the tray support portion and are configured to facilitate using fingers to move the tray assembly with respect to the mounting portion. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the multiple protrusions comprises five protrusions that are distributed substantially uniformly around the tray support portion. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the support portion comprises a reinforced portion that is configured to couple the tray support portion to the mounting portion. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the support portion is configured to maintain the orientation of the tray support portion with respect to the mounting portion. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the support portion is configured to support the total weight of the tray support portion, the tray, and the total weight of the stored items in the tray. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the support portion includes a reinforced hole configured to receive the axle. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the reinforced hole has an inner diameter that allows the axle to rotate within the hole, such that the tray assembly can be rotated with respect to the mounting portion. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the axle is retained within the reinforced hole by way of a snap-pin. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the material comprising the support portion that surrounds the reinforced hole is configured to ride on the snap-pin when the tray assembly is rotated relative to the mount portion. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the axle comprises a one-tray axle that is configured to couple one tray assembly with the mounting portion. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the one-tray axle has an exterior diameter sized to be received into the reinforced hole comprising the support portion. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the one-tray axle includes snap-pin holes and parallel recesses that are configured to fixedly receive the snap-pin such that the tray assembly is slidably coupled with the mounting portion. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the one-tray axle has a length that accepts the one tray assembly disposed between the mounting portion and the snap-pin. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the axle comprises a four-tray axle that is configured to couple four tray assemblies with the mounting portion. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the axle comprises a three-tray axle that is configured to couple three tray assemblies with the mounting portion. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the axle comprises a two-tray axle that is configured to couple two tray assemblies with the mounting portion.