Modular storage system for logistical management of operational units

Abstract

An organization system according to the present invention generally includes a plurality of reconfigurable carts that can be positioned in the storage site in a generally side-by-side configuration. At least one of the carts can be movable from the storage site to the remote location independent of the other cart. The carts can include one or more selectively positionable partitions, such that the storage space is adjustably dividable into a number of defined reconfigurable modules for separable storage of the equipment.

1 . An organization system for storing equipment at a storage site and transporting the equipment between the storage site and a location remote from the storage site, the system comprising: 
 at least first and second reconfigurable carts selectively positionable in the storage site in a generally side-by-side configuration, wherein at least first cart is movable from the storage site to the remote location independent of the other cart, said first cart including: 
 a base having generally opposed sides presenting a cart width and generally opposed ends presenting a cart length, the ends having end panels operably extending upwardly therefrom to a cart top, the end panels and the base generally defining a storage space therebetween, the storage space comprising a storage space height presented between the base and cart top, a storage space length presented between the end panels, and a storage space width presented between the sides;  
 one or more partitions selectively positioned in the storage space, such that the storage space is adjustably dividable into a number of defined reconfigurable modules for separable storage of the equipment, the partitions operably dividing at least two of the storage space height, storage space length, or storage space width to define the modules; and  
 ground engaging wheel assemblies operably attached to and extending below the base, such that said first cart is selectively movable on the wheel assemblies from the storage site to the remote location remote.  
   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein one or more partitions comprise a shelf disposed intermediate the base and cart top, the shelf selectively vertically positionable in the storage space to present a first reconfigurable module above the shelf and a second reconfigurable module below the shelf.  
   
   
       3 . The system of claim of  claim 2 , wherein the shelf is comprised of a wire-grille.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the shelf is operably coupled to the end panels.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the end panels are each comprised of a wire-grille operably attached to a tubular frame structure.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the shelf comprises a plurality of shelf hangers having engagement members presented thereon, such that the shelf is operably coupleable to the wire-grille of the end panels with the engagement members.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the shelf comprises a wall portion extending upwardly from an edge presented on the shelf, wherein the wall portion is configured to operably retain contents on the shelf when the first cart is selectively moved between the storage site and location remote from the storage site.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more wall portions are selectively removable from the shelf.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the wall portions comprise netting.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more partitions comprises one or more selectively positionable dividers operably coupled to and extending upwardly from the shelf, wherein the divider portions are configured to operably divide the first reconfigurable module into two or more secondary reconfigurable modules above the shelf.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the dividers comprise two or more generally planar portions, the planar portions operably coupleable at selective positions to define a selectively variable divider height.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more partitions comprise a panel disposed intermediate the ends, panel selectively removable from at least one of the cart sides and selectively horizontally positionable in the storage space to present a first reconfigurable module and a second reconfigurable module along the cart length.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more partitions further comprise a shelf disposed intermediate the base and cart top, the shelf selectively removable from at least one of the cart sides and selectively vertically positionable in the storage space to divide the first reconfigurable module into two or more secondary reconfigurable modules.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one track follower mechanism operably attached to the base and a track operably positioned on the floor and extending along a track axis that is generally transverse to the cart length, the track follower mechanism selectively engageable with the track such that the carts are movable only in a direction generally parallel to the track axis when the at least one track follower is selectively engaged with the track.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an equipment holder selectively operably coupled to at least one end panel.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more partitions comprises one or more selectively positionable divider panels, the divider panels being selectively removable and horizontally positionable between the cart sides to present a first reconfigurable module and a second reconfigurable module along the cart width.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the divider panel is generally flexible.  
   
   
       18 . A method of assembling an organization system for storing equipment at a storage site and transporting the equipment between the storage site and a location remote from the storage site, the method comprising: 
 providing at least first and second reconfigurable carts selectively positionable in the storage site in a generally side-by-side configuration, wherein at least first cart is movable from the storage site to the remote location independent of the other cart, said first cart including: 
 a base having generally opposed sides presenting a cart width and generally opposed ends presenting a cart length, the ends having end panels operably extending upwardly therefrom to a cart top, the end panels and the base generally defining a storage space therebetween, the storage space comprising a storage space height presented between the base and cart top, a storage space length presented between the end panels, and a storage space width presented between the sides; and  
 ground engaging wheel assemblies operably attached to the base, such that said first cart is selectively movable on the wheel assemblies from the storage site to the remote location remote; and  
   selectively positioning one or more partitions in the storage space, such that the storage space is adjustably dividable into a number of defined reconfigurable modules for separable storage of the equipment, the partitions operably dividing at least two of the storage space height, storage space length, or storage space width to define the modules; and    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising operably coupling a shelf intermediate the base and cart top, the shelf selectively vertically positionable in the storage space to present a first reconfigurable module above the shelf and a second reconfigurable module below the shelf.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising operably coupling one or more wall portions on the shelf, such that the wall portions extending upwardly therefrom, wherein the wall portions are configured to operably retain contents on the shelf when the cart is selectively moved between the storage site and location remote from the storage site.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising operably coupling one or more selectively positionable dividers to the shelf, such that the divider portions are configured to operably divide the storage space above the shelf.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising operably coupling a panel intermediate the ends, the panel selectively removable from at least one of the cart sides and selectively horizontally positionable in the storage space to present a first reconfigurable module and a second reconfigurable module along the cart length.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising operably attaching at least one track follower mechanism to the base and operably positioning a track on the floor and extending along a track axis that is generally transverse to the cart length, the track follower mechanism selectively engageable with the track such that the carts are movable only in a direction generally parallel to the track axis when the at least one track follower is selectively engaged with the track.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising operably disposing one or more selectively positionable divider panels in the storage space, the divider panels being selectively removable and horizontally positionable between the cart sides to present a first reconfigurable module and a second reconfigurable module along the cart width.  
   
   
       25 . A rail system for use with a transportable equipment organization system having a cart, the rail system comprising: 
 a rail disposed in a groove presented on a floor surface and extending along a rail path, the rail at least partially presenting a storage site, the rail comprising first and second generally opposed flanges and a channel depending from the first and second flanges and extending along the rail generally parallel to the rail path, the first and second generally opposed flanges having an upper surface and a lower surface, the rail operably positioned in the groove such that the lower surfaces of the first and second flanges operably couple the floor surface and the channel extends therebelow; and    a rail follower mechanism operably attached to a cart and selectively engageable with the channel, 
 such that when the at least one rail follower mechanism is selectively engaged with the channel the cart is movable along the rail within the storage site in a direction generally parallel to the rail path, and  
 such that when the at least one rail follower mechanism is selectively disengaged with the channel the cart can be moved on the floor and across the upper surfaces of the first and second generally opposed flanges to enable removal of the cart from the storage site.  
   
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the rail further comprises one or more rail supports extending below the channel towards a groove base presented in the groove, such that the one or more rail supports can inhibit deformation to the rail.  
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the upper surfaces of the first and second generally opposed flanges are generally ramped, such that the cart can be more easily moved across the upper surfaces.  
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the rail is installed in relation to a floor that is selected from the set consisting of: the floor of a vehicle, the floor of a trailer, the floor of a storage system than includes a plurality of movable floors, an existing floor, or a newly formed floor surface.  
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the rail is selected from the set consisting of a unitary rail or a rail having a plurality of sections.