Systems and methods for a demonstrative model with selectable space

Abstract

A storage facility with a plurality of different unit sizes includes a demonstrative model to aid in the presentation of the different sizes to a potential customer. The available unit sizes each have a common nominal dimension; the demonstrative model includes a rectangular boundary sharing the common dimension. The model includes a plurality of vertically extending walls, a floor and a selectable wall that also shares the common nominal dimension. The selectable wall extends between first and second walls and the selectable wall is locatable at a plurality of predefined positions, such that each predefined position reflects the non-common dimension of a respective one of the plurality of the different unit sizes. The selectable wall is preferably biased to each of the predefined positions, such that each of the available sizes may be easily demonstrated to the customer by moving the selectable wall and without the need to separately visit each of the available sizes at different locations at the facility.

1 . A system comprising:
 at least one track coupled to a portion of a partially enclosed space;   a movement mechanism associated with the at least one track;   a barrier operatively coupled to the movement mechanism, wherein the barrier is configured to move along the at least one track to each of a plurality of predefined positons, wherein the barrier is biased to each of the plurality of predefined positions; and,   a display configured to show a storage unit size corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of predefined positions.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of predefined positions are indicated on a floor or on a wall of the space. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the display is disposed on the barrier or coupled to a second portion of the partially enclosed space. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier is configured to interrupt the movement of the barrier at each of the plurality of predefined position, wherein the at least one track comprises indentations at each of the plurality of predefined positions. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a motor operatively coupled to the barrier, wherein the motor is configured to move the barrier to each of the plurality of predefined positons in response to a command. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the command is sent from an application on a computing device. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a width of the barrier is substantially the same as a width of the space. 
     
     
         8 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A demonstrative variable area storage unit comprising:
 a wall and a first plane parallel to and oriented opposite the wall, the wall and the first plane spaced apart by a predetermined common value and defining a longitudinal passage, the longitudinal passage between the wall and first plane defining a first area;   a plurality of predetermined locations located along the longitudinal passage each of the predetermined locations associated with at least one of a plurality of predetermined layouts;   a plurality of deployable barriers, each of the deployable barrier located at a respective one of the plurality of predetermined locations;   each of the deployable barrier having a deployed position and a retracted position; wherein in the deployed position, each of the deployable barriers along with the wall and first plane enclose a respective one of a plurality of predefined layouts, wherein each of the plurality of predefined areas are less that the first area; and,   wherein the plurality of predefined layouts represent available storage units.   
     
     
         26 . The demonstrative variable area storage unit according to  claim 25 , wherein the first plane is defined by a second wall. 
     
     
         27 . The unit according to  claim 25 , wherein at least one of the deployable barriers is a roll up door. 
     
     
         28 . The unit according to  claim 25 , wherein at least one of the deployable barriers is a foldable wall. 
     
     
         29 . The unit according to  claim 28 , wherein the foldable wall is an accordion type wall. 
     
     
         30 . The unit according to  claim 28 , wherein the foldable wall is hinged on the wall or ceiling. 
     
     
         31 .- 34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . A method of demonstrating a plurality of different sized storage units to a customer, with a demonstrator unit, the demonstrator unit including a computer controlled movable barrier within a rectangular space comprising:
 receiving input from the customer at the computer;   collecting, by the computer, vacancy information regarding available storage unit sizes; and   based on the customer input and vacancy information, generating control signals by the computer and   moving the movable barrier within the rectangular space to a plurality of predetermined positions reflective of available storage unit sizes in response to the control signals.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising receiving from the customer a selection of one of the plurality of positions and identifying to the customer one or more storage units reflective of the selection. 
     
     
         37 . A method of demonstrating a plurality of different sized storage units to a customer with a demonstrator unit, the demonstrator unit including a plurality of deployable walls prepositioned within a rectangular space comprising:
 receiving input from the customer at the computer;   collecting, by the computer, vacancy information regarding available storage unit sizes;   comparing the customer input with the vacancy information;   based on the comparison of customer input and vacancy information, generating control signals by the computer;   deploying respective ones of the deployable walls within the rectangular space according to one or more predetermined configurations to reflect the available storage unit sizes in response to the control signals; and,   receiving from the customer a selection of one of the one or more predetermined configurations and identifying to the customer one or more storage units reflective of the selection.   
     
     
         38 .- 39 . (canceled)