Retractable storage system

Abstract

The system includes an enclosure provided upward through a hole provided in a ceiling. The enclosure includes a motor for lifting a set of shelves into the enclosure. The enclosure protects the set of shelves and its contents from moisture and heat, and prevents heat and moisture from escaping from one room to another, across the enclosure. The system is designed to allow installation of the entire system from the lower level, without requiring access to the upper level.

1 . A retractable storage system comprising: 
 (a) a rack comprising: 
 (i) a storage area;  
 (ii) a second storage area located above said first storage area;  
   (b) a supportive ceiling defining an opening;    (c) means for moving at least a part of said rack from a first position below said supportive ceiling to a second position above said supportive ceiling.    
   
   
       2 . The retractable storage system of  claim 1 , further comprising means positioned above said supportive ceiling for insulating said rack.  
   
   
       3 . The retractable storage system of  claim 1 , further comprising an enclosure secured to said supportive ceiling.  
   
   
       4 . The retractable storage system of  claim 3 , wherein said enclosure is coupled to said supportive ceiling over said opening in a manner which substantially seals said opening.  
   
   
       5 . The retractable storage system of  claim 1 , wherein said moving means comprises: 
 (a) first means coupled to a first part of said container for lifting said rack; and    (b) second means coupled to a second part of said container for lifting said rack.    
   
   
       6 . The retractable storage system of  claim 5 , wherein said first means is secured to said container above said second storage area and wherein said second means is secured to said container above said second storage area.  
   
   
       7 . The retractable storage system of  claim 1 , wherein said rack further comprises a door.  
   
   
       8 . The retractable storage system of  claim 7 , wherein said rack further comprises: 
 (a) a back provided between said first storage area and said second storage area;    (b) a first side provided between said first storage area and said second storage area; and    (c) a second side provided between said first storage area and said second storage area.    
   
   
       9 . The retractable storage system of  claim 1 , wherein said moving means comprises a motor provided above said supportive ceiling.  
   
   
       10 . The retractable storage system of  claim 9 , further comprising an actuator coupled to said motor, wherein said motor is provided above said supportive ceiling.  
   
   
       11 . The retractable storage system of  claim 10 , further comprising an enclosure secured to said supportive ceiling.  
   
   
       12 . The retractable storage system of  claim 1 , further comprising means coupled to said moving means for attenuating said moving means in response to an object being in the path of said rack.  
   
   
       13 . The retractable storage system of  claim 1 , wherein said moving means is a motorized screw coupled to said rack.  
   
   
       14 . The retractable storage system of  claim 13 , further comprising a slave screw operably coupled to said motorized screw and to said rack.  
   
   
       15 . The retractable storage system of  claim 1 , wherein said rack comprises a set of drawers.  
   
   
       16 . A retractable storage system for moving a rack from a first point below a ceiling to a second point above the ceiling, the retractable storage system comprising: 
 (a) a rack comprising: 
 (i) a first storage area;  
 (ii) a second storage area located above said first storage area.  
   (b) an enclosure, at least a portion of which is located above the ceiling; and    (c) means for moving at least a portion of said rack into said enclosure.    
   
   
       17 . The retractable storage system of  claim 16 , wherein the ceiling defines an opening and wherein said enclosure is secured over said opening in a manner which substantially seals said opening.  
   
   
       18 . The retractable storage system of  claim 16 , wherein said rack is a set of shelves.  
   
   
       19 . A method for storing material comprising: 
 (a) providing a ceiling defining a lower space and an upper space;    (b) providing an opening in said ceiling;    (c) providing an enclosure from said lower space, through said opening, into said upper space;    (d) securing said enclosure to said ceiling over said opening;    (e) providing a rack comprising: 
 (i) a first storage area;  
 (ii) a second storage area located above said first storage area.  
   (f) providing material on said first storage area; and    (g) moving at least a portion of said rack into said enclosure.    
   
   
       20 . The method for storing material of  claim 19 , further comprising moving said rack into said enclosure sufficiently so that a bottom of said rack is substantially flush with said ceiling.