Modular stanchion storage structure

Abstract

A modular storage system including at least two elongated vertical supports is disclosed. Each elongated vertical support comprises a bottom portion for engaging a floor, a top portion for engaging one of a ceiling and at least one wall, and a front portion, a rear portion and a middle portion interconnecting the front portion and the rear portion. The front portion and the rear portion cooperate to form a channel which extends the length of the elongated vertical support on at least one side of the middle portion. At least one adjustable bracket is slidably located within the channel on each elongated vertical support. Each adjustable bracket comprises an engaging assembly for selectively engaging the channel. The engaging assembly has an unlocked position whereby the adjustable bracket is movable within the channel and a locked position whereby the engaging assembly engages the front portion and the rear portion of the elongated vertical support to prevent movement of the adjustable bracket with respect to the elongated vertical support. At least one storage component for storing articles within the modular storage system is secured to an adjustable bracket on at least one elongated vertical support.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A support structure for a storage system for use in an enclosure having at least a floor, a ceiling and at least one wall, the support structure comprising: 
 at least one elongated vertical support having a length, a bottom portion for engaging the floor of the enclosure and a top portion for engaging one of the ceiling and the at least one wall, wherein each of the at least one elongated vertical support further includes a front portion, a rear portion and a middle portion interconnecting the front portion and the rear portion, wherein the front portion and the rear portion cooperate to form a channel on at least one side of the middle portion, wherein the channel extends the length of the elongated vertical support; and    at least one adjustable bracket slidably located within the channel, wherein each of the at least one adjustable bracket includes an engaging assembly for selectively engaging the channel, wherein the engaging assembly has an unlocked position whereby the adjustable bracket is movable within the channel and a locked position whereby the engaging assembly engages to the front portion and the rear portion of the elongated vertical support to prevent movement of the adjustable bracket with respect to the elongated vertical support, wherein each of the at least one adjustable bracket further includes a support assembly for releasably supporting at least a portion of a storage component of the storage system.    
     
     
         2 . The support structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the front portion and the rear portion cooperate to form a pair of channels on opposing sides of the middle portion, wherein each of the channels extends the length of the elongated vertical support.  
     
     
         3 . The support structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the front portion includes a channel formed therein, wherein the channel is sized to receive at least one of the adjustable brackets.  
     
     
         4 . The support structure according to  claim 1 , where the rear portion of the elongated vertical support comprises: 
 a first portion located adjacent the middle portion, wherein the first portion cooperates with the middle portion to form at least a portion of the channel; and    an open second portion spaced from the first portion, wherein the open second portion is adapted to receive a vertical panel therein.    
     
     
         5 . The support structure according to  claim 4 , wherein the open second portion of the elongated vertical support comprises: 
 a pair of spaced ribs forming a first panel receiving channel, wherein the first panel receiving channel is capable of receiving a first vertical panel having a first predetermined thickness therein; and    an opening in an outer wall of the rear portion forming a second panel receiving channel, wherein the second panel receiving channel is capable of receiving a second vertical panel having a second predetermined thickness therein, wherein the second predetermined thickness is greater than the first predetermined thickness.    
     
     
         6 . The support structure according to  claim 5 , wherein the pair of spaced ribs and the opening are oriented such that the second vertical panel contacts end surfaces of the pair of spaced ribs when located in the second panel receiving channel.  
     
     
         7 . The support structure according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a lower mounting member connected to the bottom portion of the elongated vertical support, wherein the lower mounting member has a floor mounting member adapted to be secured to the floor, a floor connection assembly for engaging the floor mounting member, and a lower connection assembly connecting the lower mounting member to the elongated vertical support, wherein the floor connection assembly is adjustable with respect to the lower connection assembly for vertically adjusting the height of the elongated vertical support.    
     
     
         8 . The support structure according to  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 an upper mounting member connected to the top portion of the elongated vertical support to secure the elongated vertical support to one of the wall and the ceiling.    
     
     
         9 . The support structure according to  claim 8 , wherein the elongated vertical support is secured to the ceiling, wherein the upper mounting member has a ceiling mounting member adapted to be secured to the ceiling, a ceiling connection assembly for engaging the ceiling mounting member, and a upper connection assembly connecting the upper mounting member to the elongated vertical support, wherein the ceiling connection assembly is adjustable with respect to the upper connection assembly for vertically adjusting the height of the elongated vertical support.  
     
     
         10 . The support structure according to  claim 9 , wherein the lower mounting member and the upper mounting member cooperate to secure the elongated vertical support in a generally vertical position.  
     
     
         11 . The support structure according to  claim 8 , wherein the elongated vertical support is secured to the wall, wherein the upper mounting member comprises: 
 a horizontal support having a first end portion connected to the top portion of the elongated vertical support and a second end portion located adjacent the wall; and    a fixing block mounted to the second end portion of the horizontal support, wherein the fixing block is secured to the wall.    
     
     
         12 . The support structure according to  claim 11 , wherein the horizontal support has a complimentary structure with the elongated vertical support.  
     
     
         13 . The support structure according to  claim 11 , wherein the upper mounting member secures the elongated vertical support to the wall such that the elongated vertical support is spaced from the wall and the elongated vertical support is in a generally vertical position.  
     
     
         14 . The support structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the storage component is at least one of a shelf, a shoe rack, a bar and a drawer.  
     
     
         15 . The support structure according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the at least one elongated vertical support is formed from an extruded material.  
     
     
         16 . The support structure according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the at least one elongated vertical support is formed from a rolled steel.  
     
     
         17 . The support structure according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the at least one elongated vertical support is formed from a reinforced plastic.  
     
     
         18 . The support structure according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the at least one adjustable bracket is cast.  
     
     
         19 . A modular storage system for use in an enclosure having at least a floor, a ceiling and at least one wall, the support structure comprising: 
 at least two elongated vertical supports, wherein each elongated vertical support having a length, wherein each elongated vertical support comprises: 
 a bottom portion for engaging the floor of the enclosure,  
 a top portion for engaging one of the ceiling and the at least one wall, and  
 a front portion, a rear portion and a middle portion interconnecting the front portion and the rear portion, wherein the front portion and the rear portion cooperate to form a channel on at least one side of the middle portion, wherein the channel extends the length of the elongated vertical support;  
   at least one adjustable bracket slidably located within the channel on each elongated vertical support, wherein each adjustable bracket comprises 
 an engaging assembly for selectively engaging the channel, wherein the engaging assembly has an unlocked position whereby the adjustable bracket is movable within the channel and a locked position whereby the engaging assembly engages the front portion and the rear portion of the elongated vertical support to prevent movement of the adjustable bracket with respect to the elongated vertical support, and  
 a support assembly removably connected to the engaging assembly; and  
   at least one storage component for storing articles within the modular storage system, wherein each storage component is secured to an adjustable bracket on at least one elongated vertical support.    
     
     
         20 . The modular storage system according to  claim 19 , wherein the front portion and the rear portion cooperate to form a pair of channels on opposing sides of the middle portion, wherein each of the channels extends the length of the elongated vertical support.  
     
     
         21 . The support structure according to  claim 19 , wherein the front portion includes a channel formed therein, wherein the channel is sized to receive at least one of the adjustable brackets.  
     
     
         22 . The modular storage system according to  claim 20 , wherein at least one adjustable bracket is located in each of the channels.  
     
     
         23 . The modular storage system according to  claim 22 , wherein each of the at least one adjustable bracket is cast.  
     
     
         24 . The modular storage system according to  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 at least one vertical side panel, wherein each of the at least one vertical side panel is sized to extend between one of the elongated vertical supports and the wall.    
     
     
         25 . The modular storage system according to clam  24 , wherein the rear portion of the elongated vertical support comprises: 
 a first portion located adjacent the middle portion, wherein the first portion cooperates with the middle portion to form at least a portion of the channel; and    an open second portion spaced from the first portion, wherein the open second portion receives the vertical side panel therein.    
     
     
         26 . The modular storage system according to  claim 25 , wherein the open second portion of the elongated vertical support comprises: 
 a pair of spaced ribs forming a first panel receiving channel, wherein the first panel receiving channel is capable of receiving a first vertical panel having a first predetermined thickness therein; and    an opening in an outer wall of the rear portion forming a second panel receiving channel, wherein the second panel receiving channel is capable of receiving a second vertical panel having a second predetermined thickness therein, wherein the second predetermined thickness is greater than the first predetermined thickness.    
     
     
         27 . The modular storage system according to  claim 26 , wherein the pair of spaced ribs and the opening are oriented such that the second vertical panel contacts end surfaces of the pair of spaced ribs when located in the second panel receiving channel.  
     
     
         28 . The modular storage system according to  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 a lower mounting member connected to the bottom portion of the elongated vertical support, wherein the lower mounting member has a floor mounting member adapted to be secured to the floor, a floor connection assembly for engaging the floor mounting member, and a lower connection assembly connecting the lower mounting member to the elongated vertical support, wherein the floor connection assembly is adjustable with respect to the lower connection assembly for vertically adjusting the height of the elongated vertical support.    
     
     
         29 . The modular storage system according to  claim 28 , further comprising: 
 an upper mounting member connected the top portion of the elongated vertical support to secure the elongated vertical support to one of the wall and the ceiling.    
     
     
         30 . The modular storage system according to  claim 29 , wherein the elongated vertical support is secured to the ceiling, wherein the upper mounting member has a ceiling mounting member adapted to be secured to the ceiling, a ceiling connection assembly for engaging the ceiling mounting member, and a upper connection assembly connecting the upper mounting member to the elongated vertical support, wherein the ceiling connection assembly is adjustable with respect to the upper connection assembly for vertically adjusting the height of the elongated vertical support.  
     
     
         31 . The modular storage system according to  claim 30 , wherein the lower mounting member and the upper mounting member cooperate to secure the elongated vertical support in a generally vertical position.  
     
     
         32 . The modular storage system according to  claim 29 , wherein the elongated vertical support is secured to the wall, wherein the upper mounting member comprises: 
 a horizontal support having a first end portion connected to the top portion of the elongated vertical support and a second end portion located adjacent the wall; and    a fixing block mounted to the second end portion of the horizontal support, wherein the fixing block is secured to the wall.    
     
     
         33 . The modular storage system according to  claim 32 , wherein the horizontal support has a complimentary structure with the elongated vertical support.  
     
     
         34 . The modular storage system according to  claim 33 , wherein the upper mounting member secures the elongated vertical support to the wall such that the elongated vertical support is spaced from the wall and the elongated vertical support is in a generally vertical position.  
     
     
         35 . The modular storage system according to  claim 34 , further comprising: 
 at least one vertical side panel, wherein each of the at least one vertical side panel is sized to extend between one of the elongated vertical supports and the wall,    wherein the rear portion of the elongated vertical support includes a first portion located adjacent the middle portion, wherein the first portion cooperates with the middle portion to form at least a portion of the channel, and an open second portion spaced from the first portion, wherein the open second portion receives the vertical side panel therein,    wherein the open second portion of the elongated vertical support includes a pair of spaced ribs forming a first panel receiving channel, wherein the first panel receiving channel is capable of receiving a first vertical panel having a first predetermined thickness therein, and an opening in an outer wall of the rear portion forming a second panel receiving channel,    wherein the second panel receiving channel is capable of receiving a second vertical panel having a second predetermined thickness therein, wherein the second predetermined thickness is greater than the first predetermined thickness, wherein the horizontal support has an open lower portion that receives the vertical side panel therein, wherein the open lower portion of the horizontal support includes a pair of spaced ribs forming a first receiving channel, wherein the first receiving channel is capable of receiving the first vertical panel therein, and an opening in the lower portion forming a second receiving channel, wherein the second receiving channel is capable of receiving the second vertical panel.    
     
     
         36 . The modular storage system according to  claim 35 , wherein the pair of spaced ribs and the opening on the elongated vertical support and the horizontal support are oriented such that the second vertical panel contacts end surfaces of the pair of spaced ribs when located in the second panel receiving channel and the second receiving channel.  
     
     
         37 . The modular storage system according to  claim 32 , wherein the upper mounting member further comprises: 
 a horizontal track assembly secured to the wall having a first track, wherein a portion of the fixing block is received within the first track.    
     
     
         38 . The modular storage system according to  claim 37 , wherein the horizontal track assembly further includes a second track, wherein the second track is sized to receive an end portion of a horizontal panel therein, wherein the horizontal panel extends between the at least two elongated vertical supports forming a covered modular storage system.  
     
     
         39 . The modular storage system according to  claim 38 , further comprising: 
 at least a first door mounting bracket connected to one of the elongated vertical supports adjacent the top portion and a second door mounting bracket connected to another of the elongated vertical supports adjacent the top portion;    a door receiving track assembly connected to and extending between at least the first and second door mounting brackets; and    at least one door slidably received within and supported by the door receiving track assembly.    
     
     
         40 . The modular storage system according to  claim 19 , further comprising: 
 at least a first door mounting bracket connected to one of the elongated vertical supports adjacent the top portion and a second door mounting bracket connected to another of the elongated vertical supports adjacent the top portion;    a door receiving track assembly connected to and extending between at least the first and second door mounting brackets; and    at least one door slidably received within and supported by the door receiving track assembly.    
     
     
         41 . The modular storage system according to  claim 19 , wherein the at least one storage component extends between two adjacent elongated vertical supports, wherein the at least one storage component is releasably connected to an adjustable bracket secured to one of the elongated vertical supports and another adjustable bracket secured to another of the elongated vertical supports.  
     
     
         42 . The modular storage system according to  claim 41 , wherein the at least one storage component is at least one of a shelf, a shoe rack, a bar and a drawer.