US3556320A

US3556320A - Garage with auxiliary storage means for boats and the like

Info

Publication number: US3556320A
Application number: US821323A
Authority: US
Inventors: Julius H Henderson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-05-02
Filing date: 1969-05-02
Publication date: 1971-01-19
Anticipated expiration: 1988-01-19

Abstract

A garage structure defining a lower portion arranged to house an automotive vehicle and an upper loft space. The lower portion is defined by an upper ceiling structure provided with means defining an opening adapted to pass therethrough a structure intended to be stored in the loft space. Means are carried on the roof structure of the garage for selectively raising and lowering the structure intended to be stored in the loft space and means are provided for securing the structure intended to be stored in the storage disposition.

Description

United States Patent Inventor Julius H. Henderson I 1013 Justine Drive, Kankakee, lll. 60901 821,323

May 2, 1969 Jan. 19, 1971 Appl. No. Filed Patented GARAGE WITH AUXILIARY STORAGE MEANS FOR BOATS AND THE LIKE 6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl. 214/16, 52/27; 214/16 1 Int. Cl E04h 14/00 Field of Search 214/ l 6,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 926,366 6/l909 Thompson 214/16 3,385,458 5/1968 Gresham 2l4/l6.4(2)

Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-George F. Abraham Attorney-Hofgren, Wegner, Allen, Stellman and McCord ABSTRACT: A garage structure defining a lower portion ar ranged to house an automotive vehicle and an upper loft space. The lower portion is defined by an upper ceiling structure provided with means defining an opening adapted to pass therethrough a structure intended to be stored in the loft space. Means are carried on the roof structure of the garage for selectively raising and lowering the structure intended to be stored in the loft space and means are provided for securing the structure intended to be stored in the storage disposition.

PATENTEI] JAN] 9 IBTI SHEET 2 OF 4 PATENTEU JAN 1 9 I97! SHEET 3 BF 4 GARAGE wlrrr AUXILIARY STORAGE MEANS FOR t nous AND TIIE use BACKGROUND or THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention This invention relates to storage structures and in particular to garage structures and the like for storing relatively large structures such as automobiles.

2. Description of the Prior Art 7 In the conventional garage structure; the lower portion thereof is arranged to house automotive vehicles and the like.

The conventional garage structure is pr'ovided with a ceiling portion overlying the lower vehicle storage space and serving to tie together the upright sidewalls of the garage structure. A roof .is conventionally provided spaced above the ceiling whereby the roof and ceiling cooperatively define a loft space.

Such a loft space is utilized from time to time for storage of 1 objects, materials, and the like, resting on the ceiling joists and in certain instances, the ceiling is provided with an upper floor for more efficient storage. I

An increasing number of people who own such automotive vehicles and garages also own other relatively large structures which must be stored from time to time. lllustratively, such additional structures may comprise boats, snowmobiles, riding mowers, small tractors, go-carts, and-the like. Thestorage of such relatively large structures presents a vexatious problem 2 j BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as disclosed in the drawings, a storage structure l0..herein comprising a 7 garage, is shown to include a plurality of upright sidewalls ll and an overlying roof 1 2. In illustrating the invention, the roof as it is undesirable to utilize the valuable'automobile storage space for-these additional structures. Thus,- often additional sheds are provided or theadditional'structuresare allowed to remain outdoors under tarpaulinsand the like during the times of nonuse. I i

SUMMARY-OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprehends an improved garage structure adapted to accommodate,in addition to the automotive vehicles in the lower portion thereof, the storage of such other relatively large structures in the loft space. The garage structure is arranged to provide for such storage in a facilitated mannerpermitting the stored structures to be reaclily. made available for use when desired while yet normally providing for storage thereof in sucha manner asto provide substantially full normal use of .the lower garage space,

Thus, the inventioncomprehends the provision in the ceiI ing structure of,the garage of means defining an opening adapted to pass the structure intended to be stored upwardly into the loft spacefor storage therein. Means are provided on the roof structure for selectively raising and lowering the structure intended to be stored and means are provided for releasably securing the structure intended to be stored in a storage disposition in the loft space. Thus, a relatively large structure, such as a boat or tractor, may be readily stored in the loft space by simply raising it form the floor of the garage upwardly through the preformed opening in the ceiling and securing the stored structure in the raised position.

The invention comprehends the provision of reinforcing means in the garage structure for transferring the forces generated by the weight of the stored structure to the sidewalls while effectively precluding outward displacement thereof due to the increased weight acting thereon. The raising and lowering means may comprise a hand operated, or motor operated hoist as desired. The securing means may comprise straps, or the like, for effectively positively securing the stored structure in the loft space. If desired, the stored structure may be positioned so as to permit a portion thereof to extend downwardly into the lower space of the garage below the level of the ceiling. In the illustrated embodiment, the ceiling opening is provided at the center of the garage for utilization of the maximum heightof the loft space as in a conventional garage structure herein the ridge beam is disposed at the center of the garage. As will be obvious to those skilled in the art, modifications of the garage structure incorporating the broad concept of the ceiling storage opening and means for retaining the stored structure in the loft space in alignment with the opening may be used within the scope of the invention.

structure is shown as a gabled roof structure. it being understood that other suitable roof arrangements, such as hip roof structures, may be employed as desired. Illustratively, the sidewalls 11 may include suitable windows 13 and front opening 14 selectively closable as by a conventional overhead door 15. "The garage is further defined by a ceiling structure generally designated 16 which overlies the lower automotive vehicle storage space 17 and which cooperates with the roof 12 to define an upper loft space 18.

In illustrating the invention. the garage is shown to comprise a two-car garage wherein two automotive vehicles 19 and20 may be garaged in the normal side-by-side' manner in the Iowervehicle storage space 17. As shown in FIG. 2, the ceiling comprises a plurality ofjoists 2lca'rried at their opposite ends on the top plate 22 of the sidewalls 11 whereby the joists tie the sidewalls together against outward displacement by forces acting downwardly on roof 12. The roof structure may further include bracing 23 including diagonal braces 24 and box braces 25 for stiffening the structure. The roof may be provided with an outer sheath 26 of conventional construction to close the top of the garage structure in' the conventional manner. The roof may include a ridge beam 27 extending lengthwise of the garage at the top of the roof in the conventional manner. i I

As indicated briefly above, the invention comprehends the provision of means defining an opening in the ceiling structure 16 for accommodating the passage of a structure intended to be stored in the loft space 18. Thus, as best seen in FIGS. 1

and 2, the ceiling structure is provided with a frame 28 defining an opening 29in the ceiling structurelfi. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 29 is intended to receivea relatively large structure, such as a 'boat, 30. The boat may be lifted through the opening 29 into the loft space 18 by a suitable pulley 31 carried on the ridge beam 27. In the illustrated embodiment, the pulley 3i comprises a hand operated hoisting means. As will be obvious to those skilled in the art, if desired, the hoisting means may comprise a motor operated means (not shown) or other suitable lifting devices as desired.

The means for supporting the structureto be stored 30 may further include straps 32 extending under the structure 30 and carried by a support beam 33 to which-the pulley 31 is connected by suitable cables 34. The structure 30 may be secured in the storage position by suitable securing means. such as cleat 35 carried on the frame 28 around which the lower free end 36 of the pulley cable '34 may be wrapped. Other suitable means for securing the structure 30 may be employed, such as additional fixed straps extending under the structure, etc. If desired, the structure30 may be stored fully above the level of the ceiling structure 16 or, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the structure 30 may be raised sufficiently to provide desired clearance in the lower vehicle storage space 17 while yet projecting downwardly below the level of ceiling 16. As shown in FIG. 2, the opening 29 is disposed along the longitudinal centerline of the garage defined by the ridge beam 27 thereby providing for the storage of the structure 30 at the highest portion of the roof. As shown in FIG. 4. the opening 29 may be provided somewhat toward the rear ofthe garage as desired.

Ceiling opening frame 28 comprises a rectangular box structure which is set into the joists 21 as shown in FIG. 1. The garage structure is reinforced by a plurality of diagonals 37 laid on the joists for transmitting horizontal forces from the frame 28 to the top plate 22. The diagonal braces 24 further transfer forces from the framework to the rafters of roof 12. The end walls may be tied together by stringers 38 extending the length of the garage and tied to the end box braces 25 as best seen in FIG. 2. The garage structure may be provided with conventional fore-and-aft diagonal bracing 39, as shown in FIG. 3. Thus, the forces generated by the weight of the structure being stored are transferred from the ridge beam 27 to the sidewalls ll of the garage and the ceiling 16 is reinforced by the diagonals and longitudinal stringers to provide a rigid garage structure while yet accommodating the improved storage means. As will be obvious to those skilled in the an. other methods of reinforcing the garage structure to accommodate the opening 29 may be employed as desired.

Thus, in utilizing garage structure 10, the user need merely bring the structure to be stored in the loft space 18, such as boat 30, to a position underlying the opening 29 on the garage floor 40. Where the structure. comprises a boat as shown in the drawings, the user provides suitable strap means 32 and support beam 33 for attachment to the hoist. or pulley, structure 31. 34. The boat structure 30 is then raised by suitable manipulation of the pulley to bring the boat structure 30 upwardly through opening 29 into the loft space 18. When the structure 30 is raised to the desired point, which may be fully within the loft space above the level of ceiling 16, or partially within the level of the space with the bottom portion thereof extending downwardly into the upper portion of the lower space 17 as shown in H6. 2, the user may secure the structure 30 in the storage position as by securing the cable end 36 to the cleat 35 as shown in FIG. 2.

Structure 30 may be allowed to remain in the storage position as desired, such as over winter. Free access to the automotive vehicle storage space 17 is had at all times as the structure 30 is effectively disposed above the storage area 17. When, however, it is desired to remove the structure 30 from storage, the user merely releases the cable end 36 from the cleat 35. lowers the structure 30. as'ontoa suitable trailer (not shown). permitting the structure then to be removed from the garage as desired. I

By virtue of the improved reinforccme'ntof the garage effected by the reinforcing diagonals and stringers, the garage may be arranged to support and store for protracted periods of time structures of substantial weight without deformation of the garage structure.

The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is illustrative of the broad inventive concepts comprehended by the invention.

lclaim:

1. In a garage structure defining a lower portion arranged to house an automotive vehicle, said structure including an upper portion defined by a ceiling structure overlying said lower portion, and a roof structure spaced above said ceiling structure and defining therewith a loft space. auxiliary storage means comprising:

means defining an opening in said ceiling structure having a preselected horizontal cross section adapted to pass a structure intended to be stored in said loft space;

means carried by said roof structure for selectively raising and lowering said structure intended to be stored through said opening for selective storage thereof in a storage disposition in said loft space in alignment with said opening; and

means for'releasably securing said last structure intended to be stored in said storage disposition.

2. The garage structure means of claim 1 wherein said securing means comprises means for locking said raising and lowering means. I

3. The garage structure means of claim 1 wherein said means for raising and lowering said structure means comprises straps secured to said garage structure and extending under said structure to be stored.

4. The garage structure means of claim 1 wherein said securing means is arranged to retain said structure to be stored with a portion thereof disposed below the level of said ceiling structure.

5. The garage structure means of claim 1 wherein said garage roof structure includes a ridge beam and said raising and lowering means is carried by said ridge beam.

6. The garage structure means of claim 1 wherein said structure to be stored comprises a boat.

Claims

1. In a garage structure defining a lower portion arranged to house an automotive vehicle, said structure including an upper portion defined by a ceiling structure overlying said lower portion, and a roof structure spaced above said ceiling structure and defining therewith a loft space, auxiliary storage means comprising: means defining an opening in said ceiling structure having a preselected horizontal cross section adapted to pass a structure intended to be stored in said loft space; means carried by said roof structure for selectively raising and lowering said structure intended to be stored through said opening for selective storage thereof in a storage disposition in said loft space in alignment with said opening; and means for releasably securing said last structure intended to be stored in said storage disposition.

2. The garage structure means of claim 1 wherein said securing means comprises means for locking said raising and lowering means.