Storage system

Abstract

A storage system has a rectanguloid shape and defines a storage chamber. The storage system includes a frame comprising a back wall, a first and a second side wall, and one or more structural brackets. The storage system also includes a bench supported by the frame and movable between a closed position wherein the bench is load bearing and an open position wherein the storage chamber is accessible from an exterior of the storage system. A front wall is rotatably connected to the storage system and movable between a retracted position wherein the storage chamber is inaccessible from an exterior of the storage system when the bench is in the closed position and an extended position wherein the front wall at least partially defines an access slot to allow access to the storage chamber when the bench is in the closed position. A removable, grated floor is supported by the frame.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A storage system having a rectanguloid shape and defining a storage chamber, the storage system comprising:
 a frame comprising a back wall, a first and a second side wall, and one or more structural brackets extending between the first and second side walls opposite the back wall;   a bench defining a support surface and an under surface, the bench supported by the frame, rotatably connected to the frame and movable between a closed position wherein the support surface is load bearing and an open position wherein the storage chamber is accessible from an exterior of the storage system;   a front wall rotatably connected to the storage system and movable between a retracted position wherein the storage chamber is inaccessible from an exterior of the storage system when the bench is in the closed position and an extended position wherein the front wall at least partially defines an access slot to allow access to the storage chamber when the bench is in the closed position; and   a removable grated floor supported by the frame.   
     
     
         2 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the front wall at least partially defines a storage pocket. 
     
     
         3 . The storage system of  claim 2 , wherein the front wall cooperates with a pocket frame to define the access slot and the storage pocket, wherein in the retracted position the storage pocket is inaccessible from the exterior of the storage system when the bench is in the closed position and in the extended position the access slot provides access to the storage pocket when the bench is in the closed position. 
     
     
         4 . The storage system of  claim 3 , wherein the pocket frame comprises a pocket floor defining one or more apertures. 
     
     
         5 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the front wall rotates to an angle of from 25 to 90° relative to a plane defined by the front wall in the retracted position. 
     
     
         6 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises an interior flange for positioning and supporting the removable grated floor, the interior flange extending into the storage chamber and defining a receiving slot. 
     
     
         7 . The storage system of  claim 6 , wherein the interior flange comprises portions of the back wall, the first side wall, and/or the second side wall. 
     
     
         8 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises four adjustable feet, each adjustable foot including a base and a stem extending from the base, the base including an outer contact surface, wherein each stem is a threaded rod, and frame comprises a threaded aperture cooperable with each threaded rod. 
     
     
         9 . The storage system of  claim 1 , further comprising a catch tray shaped and positioned to collect matter that passes through the removable grated floor. 
     
     
         10 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one first hinge rotatably connects the first side wall to a first end of the back wall and at least one second hinge connects the second side wall to a second end of the back wall. 
     
     
         11 . The storage system of  claim 10 , wherein a back end of the first side wall and/or the first end of the back wall define a first beveled or rounded corner portion and a back end of the second side wall and/or the second end of the back wall define a second beveled or rounded corner portion. 
     
     
         12 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein a first of the one or more structural brackets extends between a top front corner of the first side wall and a top front corner of the second side wall to increase a load bearing capacity of the bench when in the closed position. 
     
     
         13 . A storage system for footwear, the storage system comprising:
 a frame having a rectanguloid shape and defining a storage chamber;   a bench defining a support surface and an under surface, the bench supported by the frame, rotatably connected to the frame and movable between a closed position wherein the bench is load bearing and an open position wherein the storage chamber is accessible from an exterior of the storage system;   a front wall having an inner and an outer surface is rotatably connected to the storage system and movable between a retracted position and an extended position wherein the front wall at least partially defines an access slot when the bench is in the closed position; and   a pocket frame cooperates with the inner surface of the front wall to define a storage pocket within the storage chamber, wherein in the retracted position the storage pocket is inaccessible from an exterior of the storage system when the bench is in the closed position and in the extended position the access slot provides access to the storage pocket so that footwear can be quickly stored and accessed when the bench is in the closed position.   
     
     
         14 . The storage system for footwear of  claim 13 , further comprising a grated floor mounted on the frame and positioned in the storage chamber to prevent accumulation of unwanted matter in the storage chamber, wherein the grated floor is not coupled to the frame and can be removed from the storage chamber when the bench is in the open position. 
     
     
         15 . The storage system for footwear of  claim 14 , further comprising a catch tray shaped and positioned to receive matter that passes through the grated floor. 
     
     
         16 . The storage system for footwear of  claim 13 , wherein the pocket frame comprises a pocket floor defining one or more apertures. 
     
     
         17 . The storage system for footwear of  claim 13 , further comprising a light mounted on the frame or bench, wherein the light is manually activated and deactivated to illuminate the storage chamber or wherein the light is activated when the bench is opened to illuminate the storage chamber and deactivated when the bench is closed. 
     
     
         18 . A kit for assembling a storage system having a rectanguloid shape and defining a storage chamber, the kit including:
 a back wall, a first side wall rotatably connected to a first end of the back wall, and a second side wall rotatably connected to a second end of the back wall, wherein the first and second side walls are movable between a shipping position and an assembly position;   a structural bracket shaped for attachment to a front end of the first and second side walls when the first and second side walls are in the assembly position to form a frame;   a bench defining a support surface and an under surface and shaped for attachment to the back wall; and   a front wall coupled with a pocket frame to collectively define a storage pocket.   
     
     
         19 . The kit for assembling the storage system set forth in  claim 18  further including:
 a grated floor shaped for insertion and removal from the storage chamber; and, optionally, 
 a catch tray shaped to receive matter that passes through the grated floor. 
 
     
     
         20 . The kit for assembling the storage system set forth in  claim 19  further including at least one 90° hinge for connecting the front wall to the frame.