Articulating Modular Storage System

Abstract

The present invention discloses a hingedly retractable storage apparatus and the method of using this apparatus. The storage apparatus of the present invention is capable of being lowered, raised, and inclined at an angle to load articles or retrieve stored articles. This apparatus comprises a base plate that runs coplanar to the surface that it will be adhered to, two support arms that descend from the base plate and are perpendicular to the base plate, a rack center element, and at least two transverse support members supported on the rack center element. Both support arms are fixed at the end that is close to the base plate. The other end of one of the arms is hingedly attached to the rack center element while the other end of the other arm is reversibly fixed to the rack center element. The transverse support members have indentations to receive articles.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hingedly-retractable (connected/concatenate), storage rack apparatus, comprising:
 a base plate;   said base plate having a length greater than its width;   said base plate running coplanar with a surface to which the base plate will be adhered to;   said base plate anchored to the surface;   two support arms   said support arms running perpendicular to said base plate and descending therefrom;   said support arms having a first end and a second end;   said first and second support arms being fixed to said base plate at a first end;   said first support arm being hingedly attached to a rack center element at a second end;   said second support arm being reversibly affixed to said rack center element at a second end;   said rack center element;   said rack center element having a length greater than its width;   said rack center element consisting of two parallel rods connected by terminal cross-members at rack center elements first and second ends;   said rack center element existing coplanar to said base plate in a closed position;   said rack center element being hingedly attached to said first support arm at a first lower end;   said rack center element being reversibly attached at a second lower end;   said rack center elements supportive of at least two transverse support members;   said transverse support members;   said transverse support members are coplanar with said rack center element and said base plate.   
     
     
         2 . The storage rack apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said rack center element and said transverse support members are hingedly attached to said first support arm and releasably fixed to said second support arm wherein said rack center element and transverse support are releasable from a second end for angulation downward for receipt of attached articles or to load articles. 
     
     
         3 . The storage rack apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said rack center element and said transverse support members are hingedly attached to said first support arm and releasably fixed to said second support arm wherein said rack center element is connected to said base plate via retractable mechanism. 
     
     
         4 . The storage rack apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said releasably fixed second support arm is connectedly securable to said second end via a latch, locking bolt, snap closure, clipping mechanism, detent pin or similar structure or mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . The storage rack apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the retractable mechanism is a coiled spring, gas-enabled strut, elastic cordage or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The storage rack apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said retractable mechanisms may be attached at various points between said base plate and said rack center element as to provide support and assist in retractions. 
     
     
         7 . The storage rack apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said transverse support members have two to a plurality of grooved indentations for receipt of cylindrical shaped articles. 
     
     
         8 . The storage rack apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said plurality of grooved indentations for receipt of cylindrical shaped articles is capable of receiving foam inserts for retention and protection of cylindrical articles. 
     
     
         9 . The storage rack apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said base plate is adhered to a ceiling or a wall. 
     
     
         10 . The storage rack apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said support arms consist of an internal and external support arm comprising:
 an external support arm attached to said base plate;   an internal support arm attached to said rack center element;   said internal and external arms have corresponding apertures; and   a detent pin or a push button for locking said internal and external arms as to adjust height position.   
     
     
         11 . The storage rack apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said apertures of internal arms and apertures of external arms may be aligned as to adjust the distance from the rack center element to the base support as to increase or decrease height profile. 
     
     
         12 . The storage rack apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus can be raised, lowered, inclined, is height adjustable, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The storage apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said apparatus can be inclined at a 45 degree angle. 
     
     
         14 . A method for storing articles in a hingedly-retractable (connected/concatenate) storage rack apparatus, comprising:
 adjusting the height of the storage rack apparatus, wherein said storage rack apparatus comprises:   a base plate, two support arms, a rack center element, and at least two transverse support members, wherein said storage rack apparatus is anchored to a surface via the base plate, wherein said support arms run perpendicular to said base plate and descend therefrom, wherein said support arms have a first end and a second end, wherein said first and second support arms are fixed to said base plate at the first end, wherein said first support arm is hingedly attached to the rack center element at the second end, wherein said second support arm is releasably fixed to the rack center at the second end;   unsecuring a lock mechanism at a releasably fixed end of the storage rack apparatus, wherein said unsecuring releases the rack center element and the transverse support members supported on the rack center element in a downward angulation to receive said articles or remove previously stored articles;   moving the releasably fixed end of the storage rack apparatus upwards towards the second end of the second support arm once the articles have been stored or removed such that the rack center element is coplanar to the base plate and is in closed position; and   securing the lock mechanism on the second end of the second support arm.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said rack center element has a length greater than its width, said rack center element consists of two parallel rods connected by terminal cross-members at rack center elements first and second ends, said rack center element exists coplanar to the base plate in a closed position, said rack center element is hingedly attached to the first support arm at a first lower end, said rack center element being reversibly attached to the second support arm at a second lower level, said rack center element supports at least two transverse support members. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein transverse support members are coplanar with the rack center element and the base plate. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said rack center element and transverse support members are hingedly attached to the first support arm and releasably fixed to the second support arm, wherein the rack center element is connected to the base plate via a retractable mechanism. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the releasably fixed second support arm is connectedly securable to the second end via a latch, locking bolt, snap closure, clipping mechanism, detent pin or similar structure. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the retractable mechanism is a coiled spring, gas-enabled strut, elastic cordage, or a combination thereof.20. The method of claim  19 , wherein the retractable mechanism may be attached at various points between said base plate and said rack center element so as to provide support and assist in retractions. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said transverse elements comprise two to a plurality of grooved indentations for receipt of cylindrical shaped articles. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein said plurality of grooved indentations for receipt of cylindrical shaped articles is capable of receiving foam inserts for retention and protection of cylindrical articles. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the base plate is adherable to a ceiling or a wall. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said support arms consist of an internal and external support arm comprising:
 an external support attached to the base plate;   an internal support arm attached to the rack center element;   said external and internal support arms have corresponding apertures; and a detent pin or push button for locking said internal and external support arms to increase and decrease height profile.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said apertures of the internal support arms and apertures of external support arms may be aligned to adjust the distance from the rack center element to the base support so as to increase or decrease height profile. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said apparatus can be raised, lowered, inclined, is height adjustable, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         27 . The storage apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said apparatus can be inclined at a 45 degree angle.