Storage system and method

Abstract

A storage system 1 for storing items 20, the storage system 1 comprising: a plurality of backing panels 9 spaced apart by a predetermined distance to define a slot 11 between adjacent backing panels; a front panel 3 having a projection (19, FIG. 4) from its rear surface, the projection (19) slidably receivable within the slot 11 and configured to engage a rear surface of each adjacent backing panel 9, the projection (19) thereby securing the front panel 3 relative to the slot 11. Methods (500, 600, FIGS. 5, 6) of manufacturing a storage system and interchanging items are also described.

1 . A storage system for storing items, the storage system comprising:
 a plurality of backing panels spaced apart by a predetermined distance to define a slot between adjacent backing panels;   a front panel having a projection from its rear surface, the projection slidably receivable within the slot and configured to engage a rear surface of each adjacent backing panel defining the slot, the projection thereby securing the front panel relative to the slot,   wherein the front panel is configured to engage a single slot and each slot is configured to receive a single front panel.   
     
     
         2 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the slot is tapered towards a front surface of the adjacent backing panels defining the slot. 
     
     
         3 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the adjacent backing panels defining the slot comprise stepped edges. 
     
     
         4 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the slot comprises at least one free end from which end the projection may be inserted. 
     
     
         5 . The storage system of  claim 1 , comprising at least three backing panels spaced apart by the predetermined distance to define at least two parallel slots of substantially the same dimensions, such that each of the at least two slots is configured to slidably receive the projection of the front panel. 
     
     
         6 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the front panel comprises:
 a plurality of projections provided along a centreline of the front panel; or   an elongate projection extending along a centreline of the front panel.   
     
     
         7 . The storage system of  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of front panels, each front panel comprising a projection provided on a centreline of the front panel. 
     
     
         8 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the backing panels comprise substantially the same width and height dimensions as the front panel. 
     
     
         9 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the front panel comprises a front surface for retaining items. 
     
     
         10 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the projection comprises a fastener which secures an item to a front surface of the front panel. 
     
     
         11 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the backing panels are provided in substantially the same plane and parallel with one another such that the slot comprises uniform dimensions along its length. 
     
     
         12 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein in a received position, the backing panels and the front panel form contiguous end surfaces. 
     
     
         13 . The storage system of  claim 1 , further comprising a pillar configured to support the backing panels, the pillar comprising pre-drilled holes in a planar front face. 
     
     
         14 . A method of interchanging items stored by the storage system of  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 sliding a first front panel along a slot so as to remove the first front panel from the storage system;   sliding a second front panel along the slot so as to insert the second front panel into the slot.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising one or more of:
 removing a side element to permit sliding of the first front panel; and   replacing the side element to prevent sliding of the second front panel.   
     
     
         16 . A method comprising:
 fixing a plurality of backing panels with a predetermined separation to define a slot between adjacent backing panels;   providing a front panel for storing items and having a projection from its rear surface;   sliding the projection along the slot to engage a rear surface of each adjacent backing panel defining the slot to thereby retain the front panel relative to the slot,   wherein the front panel is configured to engage a single slot and the or each slot is configured to receive a single front panel.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , comprising:
 pre-drilling a series of holes in a pillar, using a jig, the holes having alternating separation.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , comprising pre-drilling an array of holes in each of the plurality of backing panels, using a jig, the holes having a uniform layout in each backing panel.