GB2362809A

GB2362809A - Clothing storage facility

Info

Publication number: GB2362809A
Application number: GB0013522A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sally Montgomery; Joan Mary Mccoy; John Malcolm Mcneill; Brian Madden
Original assignee: Consarc Design Group Ltd
Current assignee: Consarc Design Group Ltd
Priority date: 2000-06-01
Filing date: 2000-06-01
Publication date: 2001-12-05
Also published as: GB0013522D0

Abstract

A clothing storage facility 2 comprises a plurality of parallel elongate receptacles 1-11 (eg. individual lockers 4, Fig 2 which possibly includes a plurality of guide rails) each housed within supporting frames 6 which inturn are possibly housed within a common frame. Each receptacle is movable/slidable (possibly automatically) between a closed position (when they are all aligned) and an open position 8 where the unaligned receptacle is accessible from both sides. In addition to hanging rails 10, single or multiple upwardly arranged storage means (eg. steel mesh baskets 12, Fig 2) may also be included within the bottom portion of the receptacle. When one receptacle is in an open position adjacent receptacles become automatically locked in the closed positions.

Description

2362809 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 11Clothinq Storaqe Facility"_ The present

invention relates to a facility for the storage of items, particularly but not exclusively clothing.

In many buildings where clothing or other items can be or are required to be stored prior to entry, e.g. museums and galleries and the like, the traditional arrangement of a cloakroom having fixed hanger rails generally leads either to over-crowding where there is insufficient space, or extensive ground-floor space and walking to store and retrieve relevant items. Such cloakrooms are also not generally designed to provide quick placement and removal of items during busy periods, e.g. when a busload of visitors all arrive at one time.

9 10 11 12 13 14 is 16 17 18 19 20 It is an object of the present invention to overcome these disadvantages.

2 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 is 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage facility, generally for clothing, comprising a plurality of parallel elongate lockers, each locker being moveable between a closed position aligned with other lockers, and an open position unaligned with the other lockers, in which open position the locker is accessible from both elongate sides for the placement therein or removal therefrom of items.

The items storable by the present invention could be any suitable items. Generally, the present invention is suitable for the placement and removal of clothing and associated apparel such as hats, gloves, umbrellas, bags, etc.

The lockers may be moveable using any suitable moving arrangement and system. In one embodiment of the present invention, the lockers have sliding movement between their open and closed positions. Also preferably, the lockers are adapted to be moveable out from and into an outer frame means, which frame means may either individually house each locker, or house a or the plurality of lockers together.

The lockers preferably include one or more rails, on which items such as clothing can be stored, generally, also not necessarily, through intermediate means such as hangers. The lockers may also include one or more upwardly arranged storage areas from or 3 1 2 3 4 6 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 is 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 near a bottom portion, e.g. baskets and the like, which may cater for bulky or bulkier items.

The lockers may be of any suitable size, shape and design. Preferably, each locker includes one or more handles to assist manual movement, and/or electronic means for automatic movement.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, movement of one locker from its closed position 'locks' the adjacent or all other lockers in their closed position. This should prevent any accidental obstruction by simultaneous opening of two or more adjacent lockers.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with referenc to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a top view of a schematic arrangement for the present invention; and Figure 2 is a section along A-A in Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 1, there is the general outline of a clothing storage facility 2 comprising eleven parallel lockers 4. Each locker 4 has its own subframe, which is engineered into a larger holding frame 6.

4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Each locker 4 is moveable between a closed position within the holding frame 6, shown in Figure 2, where it is aligned with the other lockers 4, and an open position 8 shown in dashed line in Figure 1. Once pulled out into the open position 8, the locker 4 can remain in a fixed open position and be accessed from either side. The accessible area on each side could be approximately 2m in length.

As shown in Figure 2, within each locker 4, there is provided one or more rails 10 upon which a series of hangers can be hung for coats and hats. Along the base of each locker 4, is located one or more steel mesh baskets 12, able to cater for bulkier items such as bags, umbrellas etc.

When a locker 4 is opened, a locking means (not shown) prevents opening of adjacent lockers 4 to avoid any possible obstruction. Preferably, when a locker 4 is filled, and returned to its closed position, a second locking means is provided to ensure that its contents are inaccessible until desired.

The present invention provides a storage facility able to allow the rapid and safe placement and removal of items such as clothing in secure units, and thus provide minimum time and effort both to the storers and to the users.

Claims

1 CLAIMS

2

3 1

4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 2. 13 14 15 3. 16 17 18 19 4. 20 21 22

23 24 5. 25 26 27 28 29 6. 30 31 32

A storage facility comprising a plurality of parallel elongate receptacles, each receptacle being moveable between a closed position aligned with other receptacles and an open position unaligned with the other receptacles, in which open position the receptacle is accessible from both elongate sides for the placement or removal of items therefrom.

A storage facility according to Claim 1 wherein the receptacles are lockers.

A storage facility according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 further comprising a frame that houses one or more of the receptacles.

A storage facility according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the receptacles have sliding movement between their open and closed positions.

A storage facility according to any one of the preceding claims wherein movement of a receptacle from the closed position maintains adjacent lockers in a closed or locked state.

A storage facility according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the receptacles include one or more rails.

6 1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 11 12 13 7.

8.

9.

A storage facility according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the receptacles include at least one upwardly arranged storage means from a bottom portion thereof.

A storage facility according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the receptacles are moveable by automation.

A storage facility according to any one of the preceding claims for the storage of clothing.

10. A storage facility substantially as 14 hereindescribed with reference to the drawings.

16 17