Multiple tier cabinet storage unit

Abstract

A multi-tier cabinet storage installation includes lower and upper storage units which may be wire drawers. The lower and upper units are connected by posts having detachable connections allowing compact packaging in a disassembled condition. A spacer that may be inverted allows adjustment of the elevation of the upper unit to accommodate varying cabinet heights. A modified embodiment intended for use when obstructions are present in the cabinet has a reduced width upper unit for clearing the obstructions and is reversible while still providing a handle in the front regardless of which way the installation is made.

1 . A multi-tier cabinet storage installation, comprising:
 a lower unit constructed for sliding movement in and out of a cabinet and adapted to store objects;   an upper unit adapted to store objects; and   a plurality of posts each having a lower end provided with a first detachable connection to said lower unit and an upper end provided with a second detachable connection to said upper unit to mount said upper unit to said lower unit a spaced distance above the lower unit when said first and second detachable connections are effected.   
   
   
       2 . A storage installation as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said first and second detachable connections are threaded connections. 
   
   
       3 . A storage installation as set forth in  claim 1 , including:
 a plurality of barrels on said lower unit; and   threads on said lower end of each post for threaded engagement with said barrel to effect said first detachable connection.   
   
   
       4 . A storage installation as set forth in  claim 3 , including a stop on each post engageable with said barrel to limit threading of said threads into said barrel. 
   
   
       5 . A storage installation as set forth in  claim 3 , including at least one tool-receiving surface on each post to facilitate tightening of said threads into said barrel. 
   
   
       6 . A storage installation as set forth in  claim 5 , including a plurality of sleeves on said upper unit in which said tool-receiving surface on each post is received when said second detachable connections are effected. 
   
   
       7 . A storage installation as set forth in  claim 6 , including a plurality of detachable fasteners for securing said upper ends of said posts and said tool-receiving surfaces in said sleeves to effect said second detachable connection. 
   
   
       8 . A storage installation as set forth in  claim 7 , including a stop on each post engageable with said sleeve to limit extension of said posts into said sleeves. 
   
   
       9 . A storage installation as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said lower and upper units comprise drawers constructed of spaced apart intersecting wires. 
   
   
       10 . A multi-tier cabinet storage installation, comprising:
 a lower unit constructed to hold articles;   a slide mechanism for mounting said lower unit to the cabinet for sliding movement in and out of the cabinet;   an upper unit constructed to hold articles; and   a plurality of posts constructed to connect said upper unit to said lower unit above said upper unit at a plurality of different elevations relative to said lower unit.   
   
   
       11 . A storage installation as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein each post comprises:
 a main post element having a connection with one of said lower and upper units; and   a spacer having a connection with said main post element and with the other of said lower and upper units wherein said spacer is constructed to assume a plurality of different positions relative to said main post element and said other of said lower and upper units to vary the elevation of said upper unit between said plurality of different elevations.   
   
   
       12 . A storage installation as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein each post comprises:
 a main post element having a connection with one of said lower and upper units; and   a spacer having opposite first and second ends, said spacer being applicable in a first position wherein said first end is detachably connected to said post and said second end is detachably connected to the other of said lower and upper units to maintain said upper unit at a first distance above said lower unit, and a second position wherein said second end is detachably connected to said post and said first end is detachably connected to said other of said lower and upper units to maintain said upper unit at a second distance above said lower unit greater than said first distance.   
   
   
       13 . A storage installation as set forth in  claim 12 , including a collar on said spacer for engagement with said other of said lower and upper units in said first and second positions of said spacer in a manner to assure that said second distance is greater than said first distance. 
   
   
       14 . A storage installation as set forth in  claim 12 , including:
 a sleeve on said other of said lower and upper units for receiving said first end of said spacer in said second position thereof and for receiving said second end of said spacer in said first position thereof;   threads on said first end of said spacer for threaded attachment to said main post element in said first position of said spacer;   threads on said second end of said spacer for threaded attachment to said main post element in said second position of said spacer; and   a collar on said spacer for engagement with said sleeve in said first and second positions of said spacer, said collar being off-center on said spacer.   
   
   
       15 . A storage installation as set forth in  claim 14 , including a detachable fastener for securing said first end of said spacer in said sleeve in said second position of said spacer, and for securing said second end of said spacer in said sleeve in said first position of said spacer. 
   
   
       16 . A storage installation as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein said connection of said main post element with said one of said lower and upper units is a detachable connection. 
   
   
       17 . A storage installation as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein said lower and upper units comprise drawers constructed of spaced apart intersecting wires. 
   
   
       18 . A storage installation as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said connection of said main post element with said one of said lower and upper units is a detachable connection. 
   
   
       19 . A multi-tier cabinet storage installation, comprising:
 a lower unit constructed for sliding movement in and out of a cabinet and adapted to store objects, said lower unit having opposite ends and opposite sides and a width dimension between said sides;   an upper unit having opposite ends and opposite sides and a width dimension between said sides less than the width dimension of said lower unit, said upper unit being connected to said lower unit with one side of said upper unit generally overlying one side of said lower unit;   a handle on each end of said lower unit; and   a handle on each end of said upper unit, wherein one of said handles on said lower and upper units is accessible from the front when said lower and upper units are installed in the cabinet with either of said ends in the front.   
   
   
       20 . A storage installation as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein said upper unit is connected with said lower unit by detachable connections. 
   
   
       21 . A storage installation as set forth in  claim 19 , including a plurality of posts each having a lower end provided with a first detachable connection to said lower unit and an upper end provided with a second detachable connection to said upper unit to mount said upper unit to said lower unit a spaced distance above the lower unit when said first and second detachable connections are effected. 
   
   
       22 . A storage installation as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein said first and second detachable connections are threaded connections. 
   
   
       23 . A storage installation as set forth in  claim 19 , including a plurality of posts constructed to connect said upper unit to said lower unit above said upper unit at a plurality of different elevations relative to said lower unit. 
   
   
       24 . A storage installation as set forth in  claim 23 , wherein each post comprises:
 a main post element having a connection with one of said lower and upper units; and   a spacer having a connection with said main post element and with the other of said lower and upper units wherein said spacer is constructed to assume a plurality of different positions relative to said main post element and said other of said lower and upper units to vary the elevation of said upper unit between said plurality of different elevations.