Easy to assemble storage unit

• US 6,039,417 A
• Filed: 03/10/1997
• Issued: 03/21/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stanley Works Limited (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Stanley Works Limited (Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.)
• Inventors: Howland, Thomas E., Silvis, Gary, Snoke, Steven R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HANSEN, JAMES ORVILLE
• Application Number:
  US08/815,317
• Time in Patent Office: 1,107 Days
• Field of Search: 312/257.1, 312/249.8, 312/249.11, 312/263, 312/265.5, 312/111, 312/902, 312/140, 312/258, 312/259, 312/327, 312/293.2, 220/4.28, 220/690
• US Class Current: 312/257.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 47/0075 Flat or flat-like panels connected without frames for panels mainly made of wood or plastic A47B47/042
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 47/02 made of metal only
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 1/12 with storage compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 3/00 Storage means or arrangements for workshops facilitating access to, or handling of, work tools or instruments containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents B65D83/00; nail dispensers B25C3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 3/028 by sliding extraction from within a common frame
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/467 Locking bars secured in front of the drawers
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 12/38 using snap-action elements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 312/902 Carrying case

Abstract

An easy to assemble storage unit is disclosed. A method of assembly that utilizes an interlocking scheme of tabs, catches and openings is also disclosed. 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.

Claims

1. A storage container, comprising:

a first wall member having a right wall portion, a right back wall portion and a top edge;

a second wall member having a left wall portion oppositely disposed from said right wall portion of said first wall member, a left back wall portion adapted to be adjoined to said right back wall portion of said first wall member to form a back wall and a top edge;

a top wall adapted to be connected to said right wall portion, said right back wall portion, said left wall portion, and said left back wall portion, wherein a portion of said top wall is located adjacent with said top edges of said first and second wall members;

a lid adapted to be hinged to said first and second wall members, said lid adapted to cover said top wall; and

a floor panel oppositely disposed from said top wall, wherein said floor panel is adapted to be connected to said right wall portion, said right back wall portion, said left wall portion, and said left back wall portion.

2. 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 adapted to be connected to form a rear wall;

a 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 a 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 adapted to be connected to said wall members;

at least one opening formed in a surface of one of said floor panel side portions, wherein said opening is adapted to receive said distal end of said lower catch;

a top wall having side portions adapted to be 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 is adapted to receive said distal end of said upper catch.

3. The storage container of claim 2, further comprising:

a lid adapted to be hinged to said pair of wall members, said lid covering said top wall.

4. The storage container of claim 2, further comprising:

at least three casters adapted to be attached to said floor panel.

5. The storage container of claim 2, further comprising:

a first inner panel adapted to be attached to one of said pair of wall members;

a second inner panel adapted to be attached to the other of said pair of wall members; and

at least one drawer adapted to be connected to said first and second inner panels in a sliding relationship.

6. The storage container of claim 2, further comprising:

a lock bar adapted to engage a front portion of said floor panel, wherein said lock bar extends at least from said floor panel to said top wall, said lock bar adapted to receive a lock and said top wall having an opening adapted to receive said lock, to thereby secure the storage container.

7. The storage container of claim 2, further comprising:

a drop door adapted to be in a hinged relationship with said first and second inner panels.

8. 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 adapted to be 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 has 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 at least one of said top wall side and rear portions has at least one opening adapted to receive said distal end of said upper catch;

a lid adapted to be hinged to said pair of wall members, said lid covering said top wall;

roller means adapted to be secured to said floor panel;

a first inner panel adapted to be attached to one of said wall members;

a second inner panel adapted to be attached to the other of said wall members;

at least one drawer adapted to be connected to said first and second inner panels in a sliding relationship;

a drop door adapted to be 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.

9. A storage container, comprising:

a first wall member having a right wall portion and a right back wall portion;

a second wall member having a left wall portion oppositely disposed from said right wall portion of said first wall member and having a left back wall portion adapted to be adjoined to said right back wall portion of said first wall member to form a back wall;

an independent top wall adapted to be connected to said right wall portion, said right back wall portion, said left wall portion, and said left back wall portion;

an independent floor panel oppositely disposed from said top wall, wherein said floor panel is adapted to be connected to said right wall portion, said right back wall portion, said left wall portion, and said left back wall portion;

a first inner panel secured to said first wall member;

a second inner panel secured to said second wall member; and

a least one drawer connected to said first and second inner panels in a sliding relationship.

10. The storage container of claim 9, further comprising:

a drop door adapted to be in a hinged relationship with said first and second inner panels.

11. The storage container of claim 9, further comprising:

a lid adapted to be hinged to said first and second wall members, said lid adapted to cover said top wall.

12. The storage container of claim 9, further comprising:

rolling means adapted to be secured to said floor panel.

13. The storage container of claim 9, further comprising:

a lock bar adapted to engage a front portion of said floor panel, wherein said lock bar extends at least from said floor panel to said top wall.

14. The lock bar of claim 13, wherein said lock bar has an opening adapted to receive a lock.

15. The storage container of claim 9 wherein said top wall is adapted to serve as a storage receptacle.

16. The storage container of claim 9 wherein said floor panel is adapted to serve as a storage receptacle.

17. A storage container, comprising:

a first wall member having a right wall portion and a right back wall portion;

a second wall member having a left all portion oppositely disposed from said right wall portion of said first wall member and having a left back wall portion adapted to be adjoined to said right back wall portion of said first wall member to form a back wall;

a top wall adapted to be connected to said right wall portion, aid right back wall portion, said left wall portion, and said left back wall portion;

a lid adapted to be hinged to said first and second wall members, said lid adapted to cover said top wall;

a floor panel oppositely disposed from said top wall, wherein said floor panel is adapted to be connected to said right wall portion, said right back wall portion, said left wall portion, and said left back wall portion;

a first inner panel adapted to be secured to said first wall member;

a second inner panel adapted to be secured to said second wall member; and

at least one drawer adapted to be connected to said first and second inner panels in a sliding relationship.

18. The storage container of claim 17 further comprising:

a drop door adapted to be in a hinged relationship with said first and second inner panels.