초록 ▼

Storage devices and methods for storing and accessing items that are adapted to support an item in at least two positions, a stored position and an ejected position. In the stored position, an item may be aligned with adjacent items to allow a user to view a perimeter edge of each item. A latch supp

Storage devices and methods for storing and accessing items that are adapted to support an item in at least two positions, a stored position and an ejected position. In the stored position, an item may be aligned with adjacent items to allow a user to view a perimeter edge of each item. A latch support secures the item in the stored position, and permits the unlatching of the item to permit it to rotate under force of gravity to a stable ejected position. In the ejected position, a portion of the desired item protrudes the alignment, allowing a user to easily grasp and remove the desired item without disturbing adjacent items.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. An item storage device, comprising: a first support adapted to secure a first perimeter edge of an item in a stored position; a second support being disposed substantially above the first support and being adapted to secure a second perimeter edge of said item in the stored

What is claimed is: 1. An item storage device, comprising: a first support adapted to secure a first perimeter edge of an item in a stored position; a second support being disposed substantially above the first support and being adapted to secure a second perimeter edge of said item in the stored position; and a third support disposed substantially below the second support and adapted to latch a third perimeter edge of said item to secure said item in the stored position; wherein the first, second and third supports are placed within an operative relationship to each other and wherein only two of the supports support said item in an ejected position when said item is unlatched from the third support by raising said item out of engagement with the first and third supports and then releasing said item to permit it to rotate under force of gravity backwardly in the plane of the item about a horizontal axis to a stable ejected position in supporting engagement with at least said second support or said third support, where the first and third supports are disposed at different elevations relative to the second support to cause the item to be inclined in the ejected position. 2. The item storage device according to claim 1, further comprising a latching mechanism responsive to a user, said latching mechanism adapted to selectively unlatch said third support, thereby permitting said item to shift under force of gravity from said stored position to said ejected position. 3. The item storage device according to claim 2, wherein said latching mechanism comprises a push button adapted to actuate said third support. 4. The item storage device according to claim 2, wherein said latching mechanism comprises a resilient lever connected to said third support. 5. The item storage device according to claim 2, wherein said latching mechanism is adapted to force said item to an unlatched position. 6. The item storage device according to claim 2, wherein said latching mechanism is integral with said first support. 7. The item storage device according to claim 1, further comprising an upper arc having a plurality of flanges forming a plurality of upper slots; and a lower arc having a plurality of flanges forming a plurality of lower slots, each of said lower slots corresponding to one of said upper slots to form a pair of slots, each pair of slots adapted to accommodate a single item; wherein said third support is formed by a front edge of each of said upper slots; wherein said first support is formed by a front edge of each of said lower slots; and wherein said second support is formed by a back edge of at least one of said upper slots and said lower slots. 8. The item storage device according to claim 7, wherein each of said slots comprises an angled edge for laterally securing said item. 9. The item storage device according to claim 7, wherein said device is adapted to maintain a substantially flat unstressed configuration and is deformable under stress to an installed position. 10. The item storage device according to claim 1, wherein said device is made with a unibody construction. 11. The item storage device according to claim 1, wherein said device is in one piece, further comprising pegs integrally formed on the device for installing said device on a furniture unit. 12. An item storage device, comprising: bottom support means for securing a bottom perimeter edge of an item in a stored position; back support means being disposed substantially above the bottom support means for securing a back perimeter edge of said item in the stored position; and latching means disposed substantially below the back support means for latching a bottom portion of a front perimeter edge of said item to secure said item in a stored position; wherein the bottom support, the back support, and the latching means are placed within an operative relationship to each other and wherein only two of the bottom support, the back support, and the latching means support said item in an ejected position when said item is unlatched from the latching means by raising said item out of engagement with the bottom support means and the latching means and then releasing said item to permit it to rotate under the force of gravity backwardly in the plane of the item about a horizontal axis to a stable ejected position in supporting engagement with at least said back support means or said latching means, where the bottom support means and said latching means are disposed at different elevations relative to the back support means to cause the item to be inclined in the ejected position. 13. The item storage device according to claim 12, wherein said latching means is responsive to a user and is adapted to selectively unlatch said item, thereby causing said item to shift from said stored position to said ejected position. 14. The item storage device according to claim 13, wherein said latching means comprises a push button adapted to actuate said latching means. 15. The item storage device according to claim 13, wherein said latching means comprises a resilient lever connected to a latch portion. 16. The item storage device according to claim 13, wherein said latching means is adapted to force said item to an unlatched position. 17. The item storage device according to claim 13, wherein said latching means is integral with said bottom support means. 18. The item storage device according to claim 12, wherein said device is one piece, further comprising pegs integrally formed on the device for installing said device on a furniture unit. 19. The item storage device according to claim 12, further comprising an actuator adapted to actuate said latching means. 20. The item storage device according to claim 12, further comprising pegs for installing said device on a furniture unit. 21. An item storage device, comprising: a first support adapted to support a front portion of a bottom perimeter edge of an item in a stored position; a second support adapted to support a rear portion of a bottom perimeter edge of said item in said stored position; and a back stop support being disposed substantially above the first and second supports and adapted to contact a back perimeter edge of said item when said item is forced backwardly; wherein said first support is further adapted to support a front perimeter edge of said item in an ejected position; and wherein the first, second and back stop supports are placed within an operative relationship to each other and wherein only two of the supports support said item in an ejected position when said item is unlatched from the first support by raising said item out of engagement with the second and back stop supports and then releasing said item to permit it to rotate under force of gravity backwardly in the plane of the item about a horizontal axis to a stable elected position in supporting engagement with at least said second support or said first support, where the first and second supports are disposed at different elevations relative to the back stop support to cause the item to be inclined in the ejected position. 22. The item storage device according to claim 21, further comprising a plurality of partitions forming a plurality of upper slots therebetween, each of said slots adapted to accommodate a single item. 23. The item storage device according to claim 22, each of said plurality of slots is adapted to accommodate any of a variety of items. 24. The item storage device according to claim 21, wherein said device is adapted to maintain a substantially flat unstressed configuration and is deformable under stress to an installed position. 25. The item storage device according to claim 21, further comprising pegs for installing said device on a furniture unit. 26. A item storage device, comprising: a fixed rear support adapted to support a rear portion of an item in a stored position; and a fixed front support adapted to support a front portion of said item in an ejected position; and a movable support adapted to support a central portion of a bottom perimeter edge of said item, said movable support being adapted to be moved between a first position for supporting said item in said stored position and a second position for supporting said item in said ejected position, wherein the fixed rear, fixed front, and movable supports are placed within an operative relationship to each other and wherein only two of the supports support said item in an elected position when said item is unlatched from the movable support by raising said item out of engagement with the fixed front and movable supports and then releasing said item to permit it to rotate under force of gravity backwardly in the plane of the item about a horizontal axis to a stable elected position in supporting engagement with at least said fixed rear support or said fixed front support, where the fixed front and movable supports are disposed at different elevations relative to the fixed rear support to cause the item to be inclined in the ejected position. 27. The item storage device according to claim 26, wherein said first position is forward of a center of gravity of said item, and wherein said ejected position is rearward of said center of gravity. 28. The item storage device according to claim 26, further comprising an actuator for moving said movable support between said ejected position and said stored position. 29. The item storage device according to claim 28, wherein said movable support is adapted to rotate about a pivot in response to said actuator. 30. The item storage device according to claim 28, further comprising pegs for installing said device on a furniture unit. 31. A method of using an item storage device, comprising: arranging at least one item in the storage device in a stored position in engagement with a first support; securing the item in the stored position with a latch support; and unlatching the item to cause it to rotate under force of gravity to a stable ejected position in engagement with a second supports, wherein the first, second and latch supports are placed within an operative relationship to each other and wherein only two of the supports support said item in an ejected position when said item is unlatched from the latch support by raising said item out of engagement with the first and latch supports and then releasing said item to permit it to rotate under force of gravity backwardly in the plane of the item about a horizontal axis to a stable ejected position in supporting engagement with at least said second support or said first support, where the first and latch supports are disposed at different elevations relative to the second support to cause the item to be inclined in the ejected position. 32. A method of using an item storage device, comprising: arranging at least one item in the storage device in engagement with a first support at a first position on the item and with a second support at a second position on the item substantially above the first position; securing the item in a stored position with a latch support engaging the item at a third position substantially below the second position; and unlatching the item from the latch support by raising said item out of engagement with the first support and the latch support and then releasing the item for allowing the item to rotate into an ejected position supported by only two of the supports with a portion of the item extending from the storage device, wherein the first support and the latch support are disposed at different elevations relative to the second support to cause the item to be inclined in the ejected position. 33. A method as described in claim 32 wherein the item is unlatched by placing a finger on the item and moving the finger across the item.