Universal stackable locking container

• US 5,671,856 A
• Filed: 05/28/1996
• Issued: 09/30/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Scott Lisch
• Original Assignee: Scott Lisch
• Inventors: Lisch, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Castellano, Stephen J.
• Application Number:
  US08/654,108
• Time in Patent Office: 490 Days
• Field of Search: 220/4.27, 220/300, 220/301, 220/302, 220/326, 206/519
• US Class Current: 220/4.27
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 97/06 Containers or holders for hooks, lines, sinkers, flies or the like attached to a fishing rod A01K87/009
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 3/023 movable relative to one another for access to their interiors
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 3/06 Trays
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 21/0213 Containers presenting a continuous stacking profile along the upper or lower edge of at least two opposite side walls
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 21/0228 Containers joined together by screw-, bayonet-, snap-fit or the like, B65D21/0211, B65D21/0231 take precedence

Abstract

A universal stackable locking container (10) comprising a plurality of independent trays (12), in which each tray (12) can store small articles therein. Each tray (12) includes a cylindrical side wall (14) having an open top (16) with an annular rim (18) thereabout, a disc-shaped bottom wall (20) and an upstanding central barrel (22) formed on the bottom wall (20). The barrel (22) has a finger hole (24) therethrough, so that a person can insert a finger into the finger hole (24) and grip the barrel (22) to lift and carry the tray (12). A structure (26) is in each tray (12), for stacking the trays (12) one upon the other. An assembly (28) is in each tray (12) for interlocking and unlocking the trays (12) when the trays (12) are stacked one upon the other. A cover (30) fits upon the uppermost tray (12). A facility (32) is in the cover (30), for interlocking and unlocking the cover (30) to the upper most tray (12).

Claims

1. A universal stackable locking container comprising:

a) a plurality of independent trays, in which each said tray can store small articles therein, wherein each said tray includes a cylindrical side wall having an open top with an annular rim thereabout, a disc-shaped bottom wall and an upstanding central barrel formed on said bottom wall, in which said barrel has a finger hole therethrough, so that a person can insert a finger into said finger hole and grip said barrel to lift and carry said tray;

b) means in each said tray, for stacking said trays one upon the other, wherein each said tray stacking means includes;

i) an upper inner setback face with an inner annular seat on said side wall directly below said rim; and

ii) a lower outer setback face with an outer annular seat on said side wall directly above said bottom wall, so that when two of said trays are stacked together, said lower outer setback face of the upper tray will fit into said open top of the lower tray, with said outer annular seat of said upper tray nesting on said rim of said lower tray and said bottom wall of said upper tray nesting on said inner annular seat of said lower tray;

c) means in each said tray for interlocking and unlocking said trays when said trays are stacked one upon the other, wherein each said tray interlocking and unlocking means includes;

i) said lower outer setback face on said side wall having a plurality of locking tabs radially spaced thereabout and one flexible button arm with a locking button thereon built into said side wall adjacent one said locking tab; and

ii) said upper inner setback face on said side wall having a plurality of tab sockets with associated horizontal slots radially spaced thereabout at said annular rim and a button socket with an associated buttonhole adjacent one said tab socket, so that when two of said trays are stacked together and said lower outer setback face of said upper tray fits into said open top of said lower tray, said locking tabs will fit into said tab sockets, while said locking button will fit into said button socket, so that when said upper tray is slightly turned in a clockwise direction, said locking tabs will engage with said slots and said locking button will engage with said buttonhole and when said upper tray is slightly turned in a counterclockwise direction, said locking tabs will disengage from said slots and said locking button will disengage from said buttonhole;

d) a cover to fit upon the uppermost tray; and

e) means in said cover for interlocking and unlocking said cover to said uppermost tray.

2. A universal stackable locking container as recited in claim 1, wherein said cover includes:

a) a dome-shaped lid; and

b) an upturned collar extending about a bottom edge of said lid to fit into said open top of said uppermost tray.

3. A universal stackable locking container as recited in claim 2, wherein said cover further includes a flush carry handle affixed to the top of said lid within a central recess to be grasped by a hand of a person.

4. A universal stackable locking container as recited in claim 2, wherein said cover interlocking and unlocking means includes said collar having a plurality of locking tabs radially spaced thereabout and one flexible button arm with a locking button thereon adjacent one said locking tab, so that when said collar fits into said open top of said uppermost tray, said locking tabs will fit into said tab sockets, while said locking button will fit into said button socket in said uppermost tray, so that when said cover is slightly turned in a clockwise direction said locking tabs will engage with said slots and said locking button will engage with said buttonhole and when said cover is slightly turned in a counterclockwise direction, said locking tabs will disengage from said slots and said locking button will disengage from said buttonhole.

5. A universal stackable locking container as recited in claim 3, wherein said cover interlocking and unlocking means includes said collar having a plurality of locking tabs radially spaced thereabout and one flexible button arm with a locking button thereon adjacent one said locking tab, so that when said collar fits into said open top of said uppermost tray, said locking tabs will fit into said tab sockets, while said locking button will fit into said button socket in said uppermost tray, so that when said cover is slightly turned in a clockwise direction said locking tabs will engage with said slots and said locking button will engage with said buttonhole and when said cover is slightly turned in a counterclockwise direction, said locking tabs will disengage from said slots and said locking button will disengage from said buttonhole.

6. A universal stackable locking container as recited in claim 5, wherein each said tray includes a plurality of upstanding radial partitions, so as to divide said tray into a plurality of compartments for storing the small articles therein.

7. A universal stackable locking container as recited in claim 6, wherein each said tray includes a cylindrical upstanding concentric partition to intersect said radial partitions, so as to further divide said tray in additional compartments for storing the small articles therein.

8. A universal stackable locking container as recited in claim 5, wherein each said tray includes a plurality of upstanding parallel partitions, so as to divide said tray into a plurality of compartments for storing the small articles therein.

9. A universal stackable locking container as recited in claim 5, wherein each said tray includes a plurality of upstanding posts on said bottom wall for holding the small articles thereon.

10. A universal stackable locking container as recited in claim 9, wherein said bottom wall is perforated with small apertures to allow drainage of liquids therefrom.

11. A universal stackable locking container as recited in claim 5, wherein said trays and said cover are fabricated out of molded plastic material.