Overhead Storage System

Abstract

An improved storage system, with a mechanism for easily mounting and detaching containers has been developed. The mounting mechanism consists of mounting rods attached to a storage container, which engage in suitably-shaped slots in hangers that can be attached to an overhead structure. The hangers can either be attached to the inside faces of adjacent joists or mounted to an overhead surface. The mounting mechanism is simple in construction and allows easy and rapid mounting and detaching of the storage container. The storage system results in a user-friendly and economical, overhead storage container that can easily be installed with simple hand tools.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A storage device that is comprised of structural attachments and a mechanism for the overhead mounting of one or more storage containers that have a bottom and four sides with structural attachments that are two mounting rods firmly attached in a similar position to the two opposing sides of the container or containers, where said mounting rods are approximately perpendicular to the sides of the container or containers and extend from each of two opposing sides, with resulting containers comprised of at least four mounting rods, two on each of the two opposing sides, and where the said container or containers with the mounting rods engage in suitably-shaped slots in hangers that are attached to an overhead structure. 
     
     
         2 . A device as in  claim 1  where the hangers are attached to the inside faces of adjacent joists of an overhead structure. 
     
     
         3 . A device as in  claim 1  where the hangers are attached to the outside faces of adjacent joists of an overhead structure. 
     
     
         4 . A device as in  claim 1  where the hangers are attached to an overhead horizontal structure by flanges. 
     
     
         5 . A device as in  claim 1  where the hangers are attached to an overhead horizontal structure by L-shaped mounting brackets. 
     
     
         6 . A device as in  claim 1  where the mounting rods are attached to the storage container or containers by first providing holes in the sides of the storage container or containers, and inserting mounting rods which are longer than the width of the storage container or containers through the holes. 
     
     
         7 . A device as in  claim 1  where the mounting rods are attached directly to the outside of the storage container or containers. 
     
     
         8 . A device as in  claim 1  where the storage container or containers can be mounted or detached from below the overhead structure. 
     
     
         9 . A device as in  claim 1  where the storage containers can be mounted or detached within the space between the joists adjacent to one another. 
     
     
         10 . A device as in  claim 1  where the hangers have alignment pins built-in to them so that they can be mounted quickly and easily and where said hangers are positioned so that the alignment pins are in contact with the bottom edge of the joists of an overhead structure. 
     
     
         11 . A device as in  claim 1  where the storage containers are rectangular or square in shape. 
     
     
         12 . A device as in  claim 1  where the storage containers are attached to the inside faces of adjacent joists or mounted to overhead structures in buildings or vehicles. 
     
     
         13 . A method to assemble a storage device that is comprised of:
 attaching hangers to the inside or outside faces of adjacent joists of an overhead horizontal structure;   attaching mounting rods to a storage container or containers that have a bottom and four sides;   and within the space between the joists of an overhead structure, mounting or detaching the storage container or containers with the mounting rods to the hangers attached to the faces of adjacent joists, from below said overhead structure.   
     
     
         14 . A method as in  claim 13  where the mounting rods of a storage container or containers can be attached to the sides of said storage container or containers. 
     
     
         15 . A method as in  claim 13  where the mounting rods of a storage container or containers can be attached by first providing holes in the sides of the storage container or containers, and inserting mounting rods which are longer than the width of the storage container or containers through the holes; 
     
     
         16 . A method as in  claim 13  where the hangers are attached to an overhead horizontal structure by flanges. 
     
     
         17 . A method as in  claim 13  where the hangers are attached to an overhead horizontal structure by L shaped mounting brackets. 
     
     
         18 . A method as in  claim 13  where the hangers have alignment pins built-in to them so that they can be mounted quickly and easily and where said hangers are positioned so that the alignment pins are in contact with the bottom edge of the joists of an overhead structure. 
     
     
         19 . A method as in  claim 13  where the storage containers are rectangular or square in shape. 
     
     
         20 . A method as in  claim 13  where the storage containers are attached to the inside faces of adjacent joists or mounted to overhead structures in buildings or vehicles.