Easy to assemble storage unit
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A storage container, comprising:
- a pair of oppositely disposed wall members substantially identical in shape to each other, wherein each of said wall members has a side wall portion and a rear wall portion, wherein said rear wall portions are connected to form a rear wall;
at least one upper tab integral with at least one of said wall members wherein said upper tab is offset from a surface of said wall member, said upper tab having a proximal edge and a distal end;
an upper catch integral with said upper tab along a proximal edge of said upper catch, said proximal edge of said upper catch located at a point intermediate between said proximal edge of said upper tab and said distal end of said upper tab, said upper catch extending from said proximal edge of said upper catch to a distal end of said upper catch, said distal end of said upper catch located between said proximal edge of said upper catch and said proximal edge of said upper tab, said upper catch being bent along said proximal edge of said upper catch, such that said distal end of said upper catch is biased towards said surface of said wall member;
at least one lower tab integral with at least one of said wall members, wherein said lower tab is offset from a surface of said wall member said lower tab having a proximal edge and a distal end;
a lower catch integral with said lower tab along a proximal edge of said lower catch, said proximal edge of said lower catch located at a point intermediate between said proximal edge of said lower tab and said distal end of said lower tab, said lower catch extending from said proximal edge of said lower catch to a distal end of said lower catch, said distal end of said lower catch located between said proximal edge of said lower catch and said proximal edge of said lower tab, said lower catch being bent along said proximal edge of said lower catch, such that said distal end of said lower catch is biased towards said surface of said wall member;
a floor panel having side portions connected to said wall members;
at least one opening formed in a surface of one of said floor panel side portions, wherein said opening receives said distal end of said lower catch;
a top wall having side portions connected to said wall members; and
at least one opening formed in a surface of one of said top wall side portions, wherein said opening receives said distal end of said upper catch.
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Abstract
An easy to assemble storage unit is disclosed. It provides a method of assembly that utilizes an interlocking scheme of tabs, catches and openings. The connection comprises a catch within a tab extending from a wall of the container that locks into a receiving opening on a top wall or floor panel. The storage unit utilizes similar components for the side walls and similar components for the top wall and floor panel.
54 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A storage container, comprising:
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a pair of oppositely disposed wall members substantially identical in shape to each other, wherein each of said wall members has a side wall portion and a rear wall portion, wherein said rear wall portions are connected to form a rear wall; at least one upper tab integral with at least one of said wall members wherein said upper tab is offset from a surface of said wall member, said upper tab having a proximal edge and a distal end; an upper catch integral with said upper tab along a proximal edge of said upper catch, said proximal edge of said upper catch located at a point intermediate between said proximal edge of said upper tab and said distal end of said upper tab, said upper catch extending from said proximal edge of said upper catch to a distal end of said upper catch, said distal end of said upper catch located between said proximal edge of said upper catch and said proximal edge of said upper tab, said upper catch being bent along said proximal edge of said upper catch, such that said distal end of said upper catch is biased towards said surface of said wall member; at least one lower tab integral with at least one of said wall members, wherein said lower tab is offset from a surface of said wall member said lower tab having a proximal edge and a distal end; a lower catch integral with said lower tab along a proximal edge of said lower catch, said proximal edge of said lower catch located at a point intermediate between said proximal edge of said lower tab and said distal end of said lower tab, said lower catch extending from said proximal edge of said lower catch to a distal end of said lower catch, said distal end of said lower catch located between said proximal edge of said lower catch and said proximal edge of said lower tab, said lower catch being bent along said proximal edge of said lower catch, such that said distal end of said lower catch is biased towards said surface of said wall member; a floor panel having side portions connected to said wall members; at least one opening formed in a surface of one of said floor panel side portions, wherein said opening receives said distal end of said lower catch; a top wall having side portions connected to said wall members; and at least one opening formed in a surface of one of said top wall side portions, wherein said opening receives said distal end of said upper catch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A storage container, comprising:
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a pair of oppositely disposed wall members substantially identical in shape to each other, wherein each of said wall members has a side wall portion and a rear wall portion, wherein said rear wall portions are connected by intertwining tabs and slots to form a rear wall; at least one upper tab on each of said wall members said upper tab having a proximal edge and a distal end, wherein each upper tab is integral to said wall member along said proximal edge of said upper tab, and wherein each upper tab is offset from a surface of said wall member; an upper catch integral with said upper tab along a proximal edge of said upper catch, said proximal edge of said upper catch located at a point intermediate between said proximal edge of said upper tab and said distal end of said upper tab, said upper catch extending from said proximal edge of said upper catch to a distal end of said upper catch, said distal end of said upper catch located between said proximal edge of said upper catch and said proximal edge of said upper tab, said upper catch being bent along said proximal edge of said upper catch, such that said distal end of said upper catch is biased towards said surface; at least one lower tab on each said wall member having a proximal edge and a distal end, wherein each said lower tab is integral to said wall member along said proximal edge of said lower tab, wherein said lower tab is offset from a surface of said wall member; a lower catch integral with said lower tab along a proximal edge of said lower catch, said proximal edge of said lower catch located at a point intermediate between said proximal edge of said lower tab and said distal end of said lower tab, said lower catch extending from said proximal edge of said lower catch to a distal end of said lower catch, said distal end of said lower catch located between said proximal edge of said lower catch and said proximal edge of said lower tab, said lower catch being bent along said proximal edge of said lower catch, such that said distal end of said lower catch is biased towards said surface; a floor panel having side portions, a front portion and a rear portion, wherein at least one of said side and rear portions have at least one opening adapted to receive said distal end of said lower catch; a top wall substantially identical to said floor panel, said top wall having side portions, a front portion and a rear portion, wherein said top wall side and rear portions have at least one opening adapted to receive said distal end of said upper catch; a lid hinged to said pair of wall members said lid covering said top wall; roller means secured to said floor panel; a first inner panel attached to one of said wall members; a second inner panel attached to the other of said wall members; at least one drawer connected to said first and second inner panels in a sliding relationship; a drop door in a hinged relationship with said first and second inner panels; and a lock bar adapted to engage said floor panel and said top wall.
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Specification