Storage unit with support cradle

Abstract

A storage unit for storing one or more storable members. The storage unit includes a housing configured to support at least one storage tunnel. The storage tunnel is defined by a circumferential wall extending about a central axis with the circumferential wall having a minimum distance from the central axis. A support cradle is defined along a lower portion of the tunnel and includes at least one longitudinal rail extending parallel with the central axis. The at least one longitudinal rail has a support surface which is at a distance from the central axis which is less than the minimum distance of the circumferential wall.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A storage unit for storing one or more storable members having a maximum radius, the storage unit comprising:
 a housing configured to support at least one storage tunnel, the storage tunnel defined by a circumferential wall extending about a central axis with the circumferential wall having a minimum distance from the central axis; and   a support cradle defined along a lower portion of the tunnel, the support cradle including at least one longitudinal rail, the at least one longitudinal rail having a support surface which is at a distance from the central axis which is less than the minimum distance of the circumferential wall.   
     
     
         2 . The storage unit of  claim 1  wherein the support cradle includes first and second longitudinal rails with the first longitudinal rail positioned on a first lateral side of the tunnel and the second longitudinal rail positioned on an opposite lateral side of the tunnel. 
     
     
         3 . The storage unit of  claim 1  wherein the at least one longitudinal rail has a smooth arcuate surface. 
     
     
         4 . The storage unit of  claim 1  wherein the at least one longitudinal rail has a smooth planar surface. 
     
     
         5 . The storage unit of  claim 1  wherein the support surface of the at least one longitudinal rail has a plurality of longitudinal ribs defined thereon. 
     
     
         6 . The storage unit of  claim 1  wherein the support surface of the at least one longitudinal rail has a plurality of longitudinal grooves defined therein. 
     
     
         7 . The storage unit of  claim 1  further comprising at least one bumper positioned along an inside surface of the circumferential wall within an upper portion of the tunnel. 
     
     
         8 . The storage unit of  claim 1  wherein the maximum radius of the storable member is less than the minimum distance of the circumferential wall. 
     
     
         9 . A storage unit for storing one or more storable members, the storage unit comprising:
 a housing configured to support at least one storage tunnel extending longitudinally from a front end to a rear end,   wherein the storage tunnel is defined by a circumferential wall which has at least a first longitudinally extending bumped in area to define at least a first longitudinal rail having a support surface which is radially inward from the remainder of the circumferential wall.