Storage divider

• US 6,253,943 B1
• Filed: 11/05/1998
• Issued: 07/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Prince Technology Corporation (Adient plc)
• Inventors: Spykerman, David J., Burrows, Bradford J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shoap, Allan N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MEREK, JOSEPH C
• Application Number:
  US09/186,960
• Time in Patent Office: 971 Days
• Field of Search: 224/40, 224/542, 224/539, 220/6, 220/7, 220/666, 217/12.R, 217/13-16, 217/43, 217/45, 217/46-48, 206/751, 206/754, 206/577, 206/600
• US Class Current: 220/6
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/02 in separate luggage compartment B60R7/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 224/925 Carrier for grocery bag

Abstract

A storage system in which a base is preferably molded of a lightweight polymeric material and includes a peripheral raised edge for hingedly receiving front, rear, and end walls. The end walls of one embodiment are foldable, such that they collapse integrally with the front and rear walls. Each of the front, rear and end walls can be folded flat for compact storage of the system.

Claims

1. A storage divider comprising:

a base;

a cover hingedly mounted to said base for movement between a stored position substantially parallel and overlying said base and a use position rotated substantially orthogonal to said base;

a pair of collapsible sidewalls pivotally coupled to said cover; and

a front wall pivotally coupled to said collapsible sidewalls and having a handle extending above a top edge of the front wall such that said front wall and said sidewalls can be moved between a position substantially flush and adjacent an inner surface of said cover to an extended position substantially remote from said cover and extending away from said base wherein said handle fits within an opening in said cover when said cover is in said stored position.

2. The storage divider as defined in claim 1 wherein said base comprises a rectangular frame.

3. The storage divider as defined in claim 1 wherein said sidewalls comprise a pair of rectangular panels hingedly joined at their center for collapsing from a substantially planar position to a substantially overlying position.

4. The storage divider as defined in claim 3 and further including at least one kick-out spring for urging said sidewalls toward said extended position.

5. The storage divider as defined in claim 3 wherein said front wall includes posts at its lowermost corners and said base includes a frame having sockets for receiving posts such that said storage divider can be locked in an open position for use.