Ceiling storage container mounting system

Abstract

A ceiling storage mounting systems allows for unused ceiling space to be accessed and used for removably attaching storage containers. The system provides the storage of containers to be mounted entirely below the bottom surfaces of standard ceiling joists, whether exposed or finished with a hung ceiling. The mounting system includes a two part system of a mount and a storage container. The mount is anchored to the ceiling and the container is then attached to the mount by means of a plurality of gaps and protrusions. The gaps and protrusions are located between the mount and the storage container to mate and interlockingly engage the container to the mount. The storage container is mounted to the ceiling by aligning the gaps and protrusions, and sliding the gaps and protrusions relative to one another, thereby interlocking the gaps and protrusions. The container is then removably attached the ceiling.

1 . An apparatus for removably attaching at least one storage container to a ceiling comprising:
 a mounting means attached to the ceiling for removably attaching a storage container; and   a storage container comprising interlocking means for interlockingly engaging said mounting means to thereby mount said container to said ceiling;   wherein said storage container is mounted to said ceiling by aligning said mounting means with said interlocking means, and sliding said interlocking means relative to said mounting means thereby removably attaching said storage container to said ceiling.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said mounting means comprise plurality of male or female engaging parts, and said interlocking means comprise a plurality of male or female engaging counterparts which matingly engage with the mounting means male or female engaging parts upon aligning said mounting means with said interlocking means and sliding said interlocking means relative to said mounting means. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said mounting means comprises a plurality of mounting rails anchored to a bottom side of a plurality of ceiling joists, wherein said mounting means comprises male engaging parts in the form of a plurality of protrusions provided on said mounting rails at spaced intervals, and wherein said interlocking means comprises female engaging counterparts in the form of a plurality of gaps provided on said storage container. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said protrusions are formed as pins and said gaps are formed as slotted keyholes, such that upon aligning said pins with said slotted keyholes, said pins matingly engage said keyholes, and upon sliding said keyholes relative to said pins, said container locks relative to said mounting rails. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said mounting means comprises a plurality of mounting rails anchored to a bottom side of a plurality of ceiling joists, wherein said mounting means comprises female engaging parts in the form of a plurality of gaps provided on said mounting rails at spaced intervals, and wherein said interlocking means comprises male engaging counterparts in the form of a plurality of protrusions provided on said storage container. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said protrusions are formed as pins and said gaps are formed as slotted keyholes, such that upon aligning said pins with said slotted keyholes, said pins matingly engage said keyholes, and upon sliding said pins relative to said keyholes, said container locks relative to said mounting rails. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said mounting means comprises a plurality of individual mounts anchored to a bottom side of a plurality of ceiling joists at spaced intervals, wherein said mounting means comprises male engaging parts formed as a plurality of protrusions integral with said individual mounts, and wherein said interlocking means comprises female engaging counterparts in the form of a plurality of gaps provided on said storage container. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said protrusions are formed as pins and said gaps are formed as slotted keyholes, such that upon aligning said pins with said slotted keyholes, said pins matingly engage said keyholes, and upon sliding said keyholes relative to said pins, said container locks relative to said individual mounts. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein said mounting means comprises a mounting panel anchored to a bottom side of a plurality of ceiling joists, wherein said mounting means comprises male or female engaging parts in the form of a plurality of protrusions or gaps provided on said mounting panel at spaced intervals, and wherein said interlocking means comprises male or female engaging counterparts in the form of a plurality of protrusions or gaps provided on said storage container. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein said mounting means further comprises a plurality of mounting rails anchored to a bottom side of said mounting panel, wherein said plurality of protrusions or gaps provided on said mounting panel are formed in or attached to said mounting rails. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein said mounting means further comprises a plurality of individual mounts anchored to a bottom side of said mounting panel at spaced intervals, wherein said male engaging parts are formed as a plurality of protrusions integral with said individual mounts, and wherein said interlocking means comprises female engaging counterparts in the form of a plurality of gaps provided on said storage container. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said mounting means comprises a plurality of mounting rails anchored to a bottom side of a plurality of ceiling joists, wherein said mounting rails include an “L” shaped cross-section, wherein ledges are formed by a horizontal portion of the “L” shaped cross-section of the mounting rails, and wherein said interlocking means comprises engaging counterparts in the form of a plurality of flanges provided on said storage container, such that said flanges are aligned adjacent to and above said ledges and said flanges are slid relative to said ledges to thereby attach said storage container to said ceiling. 
   
   
       13 . A method for removably attaching at least one storage container to a ceiling comprising the steps of:
 attaching a mounting means to a ceiling at spaced intervals, wherein said mounting means includes a plurality of male or female engaging parts;   providing a storage container with matingly spaced interlocking means to matingly engage with said mounting means to thereby attach said container to said ceiling, wherein said interlocking means includes a plurality of male or female engaging counterparts which matingly engage with said mounting means male or female engaging parts;   aligning said interlocking means with said mounting means;   matingly engaging said mounting means with said interlocking means; and   sliding said interlocking means relative to said mounting means thereby removably attaching said storage container to said ceiling.