Storage system and method

Abstract

A storage system 1 for storing items 20, the storage system comprising: a frame 10 having a plurality of columns 11 spaced apart, each column comprising a track (12, FIG. 3) extending at least partially in a vertical direction, the tracks of adjacent columns together defining a slot for slidably receiving a plurality of items, wherein the frame is configured to retain the items such that a first item at least partially bears the weight of a second item. Also described are a method (40, FIG. 4) for assembling the storage system and a method (50, FIG. 5) of exchanging items.

1 . A storage system for storing items, the storage system having a frame comprising:
 a base defining a plurality of recesses for receiving columns;   a plurality of columns spaced apart and received in the recesses, each column comprising a track extending at least partially in a vertical direction, the tracks of adjacent columns together defining a slot for receiving an item, wherein the base is configured to bear the weight of an item received in a slot.   
     
     
         2 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the tracks of adjacent columns together define a slot for slidably receiving a plurality of items, wherein the frame is configured to retain the items such that a first item at least partially bears the weight of a second item. 
     
     
         3 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the frame is modular and reconfigurable by the addition or removal of a column. 
     
     
         4 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the frame is reconfigurable such that:
 the removal of an intermediate column combines adjacent slots;   the addition of an intermediate column divides a slot.   
     
     
         5 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the storage system is reconfigurable to store items of quantised dimensions, the quantised dimensions being substantially equal to integer multiples of the spacing between adjacent base recesses. 
     
     
         6 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the base is modular. 
     
     
         7 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a modular base comprising a plurality of base sections; and
 wherein adjacent base sections co-operate to define a recess at an interface therebetween.   
     
     
         8 . The storage system of  claim 7 , wherein the recesses are spaced apart by half the width dimension of a base section. 
     
     
         9 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises at least three columns, including at least one intermediate column comprising a uniform H-shaped cross section having a track on either side of a central web portion. 
     
     
         10 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the tracks of adjacent columns are substantially aligned and in parallel. 
     
     
         11 . The storage system of  claim 1 , comprising a spacer element slidably receivable within the slot and providable between items within the slot. 
     
     
         12 . The storage system of  claim 1 , comprising slots of different dimensions. 
     
     
         13 . A method comprising:
 providing the storage system of  claim 1 .   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising:
 sliding a first item into the slot.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , comprising one or more of:
 adding or removing a column; and   adding or removing a base section.   
     
     
         16 . A storage system for storing items, the storage system having a frame comprising:
 a modular base defining a plurality of recesses for receiving columns; and   a plurality of columns spaced apart and received in the recesses, each column comprising a track extending at least partially in a vertical direction, the tracks of adjacent columns together defining a slot for slidably receiving a plurality of items,   wherein the frame is configured to retain the items such that a first item at least partially bears the weight of a second item.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising sliding a second item into the slot such that the first item bears the weight of the second item.