Patent Application
20220220787
The present invention relates generally to an access door that provides access to an interior containment space of a storage unit.
Storage units, such as, for example, toolboxes and cabinets, commonly include access doors to provide access to interior containment spaces. Access doors are typically coupled to the storage units using a hinge, which allows the door to be selectively disposed in either one of opened and closed positions. However, when disposed in the opened position, thereby providing access to the interior containment space, the door may unintentionally be moved to the closed position, such as if inadvertently jarred by an operator and/or due to the storage unit being disposed on an uneven surface. Also, if the access door is moved into the opened position with too great a force, the access door, storage unit, and/or hinge could be damaged. Additionally, access doors are typically maintained in the closed position utilizing a magnet(s). However, the magnetic force can be strong, thus making it difficult for the operator to overcome the magnetic force to move the access door into the opened position.
The present invention relates broadly to an access door that provides access to an interior containment space of a storage unit, such as, for example, toolboxes and cabinets. The access door is coupled to the storage unit via a hinge and is adapted to be selectively disposed in either one of opened and closed states. When in the opened state, the access door allows access to the interior containment space. When in the closed state, the access door disallows access to the interior containment space. The access door includes a latch adapted to maintain the access door in the closed position. The access door also includes a biasing member, such as, for example, a compression spring or gas strut, adapted to assist in moving the access door to either of the opened and/or closed positions, and/or to maintain the access door in the opened position. The biasing member is releasably coupled to the storage unit by a quick disconnect mechanism that disengages the biasing member from the storage unit when the access door is overextended and/or opened with too great a force. By releasably coupling the biasing member to the storage unit using a quick disconnect mechanism, the possibility of damage to the access door, storage unit, and/or hinge due to over-extending the door while opening is lessened, compared to current solutions. Also, by using a latch to maintain the access door in the closed position, less force is required to open the access door compared to current solutions.
In an embodiment, the present invention broadly comprises a storage unit having an interior containment space. The storage unit includes a connection member, a bracket having an attachment feature, an access door adapted to cover at least a portion of the interior containment space, and a biasing member having opposing first and second ends. The first end is coupled to the attachment feature, and the second end is releasably coupled to the connection member. The second end is adapted to be released from the connection member when the access door is over-extended while being opened, or otherwise opened with too great a force.
In another embodiment, the present invention broadly comprises an access door adapted to be coupled to a storage unit and cover at least a portion of an interior containment space of the storage unit. The access door includes a biasing member having opposing first and second ends. The first end is coupled to the access door, and the second end is adapted to be releasably coupled to a connection member disposed on the storage unit. The second end is adapted to be released from the connection member when the access door is over-extended while being opened, or otherwise opened with too great a force.
For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there are illustrated in the accompanying drawings embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.
While the present invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail, embodiments of the invention, including a preferred embodiment, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the present invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to any one or more embodiments illustrated herein. As used herein, the term “present invention” is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but is instead used to discuss exemplary embodiments of the invention for explanatory purposes only.
The present invention broadly includes an access door to an interior containment space of a storage unit, such as, for example, toolboxes and roll cabinets. The access door is adapted to be selectively disposed in either one of opened and closed states. The access door includes a latch assembly adapted to selectively maintain the access door in the closed position. The access door also includes a biasing member, such as, for example, a compression spring or gas strut, adapted to assist in moving the access door between the opened and/or closed positions, and/or maintain the access door in the opened position. The biasing member is releasably coupled to the storage unit by a quick disconnect connection that disengages the biasing member from the storage unit when the door is over-extended while being opened, and/or opened with too great a force.
Referring to
The access door 102 includes a latch assembly 116 and a locking rod 118 and is coupled to the storage unit 100 via a hinge 120. The locking rod 118 is adapted to put the access door 102 in a locked state via a lock (not shown) to prevent the access door 102 from being opened in a well-known manner. Although shown in a vertical orientation, the invention is not limited as such, and the access door 102 may be disposed in other orientations, such as, for example, a horizontal orientation. In an embodiment, the access door 102 includes a bracket 122 having attachment features 124, such as, for example, apertures.
The latch assembly 116 is adapted to selectively maintain the access door 102 in the closed position. The latch assembly 116 includes a handle 126 that is flexibly coupled to the access door 102, as illustrated in
The access door 102 is also connected to the storage unit 100 via a biasing member 144, such as, for example, a compression spring or gas strut, that is adapted to assist in moving the access door 102 between the opened and/or closed positions, and/or maintain the access door 102 in the opened position. The biasing member 144 includes opposing first 146 and second 148 ends. The first end 146 of the biasing member 144 is coupled to the bracket 122 disposed on the access door 102 at one of the attachment features 124. The multiple attachment features 124 enable the biasing member 144 to be coupled at different locations along the bracket 122, thereby allowing adjustment of the opening angle of the access door 102 with respect to the storage unit 100. The second end 148 (i.e., quick disconnect end) of the biasing member 144 is adapted to releasably couple to the storage unit 100 via a connection member 152, such as, for example, a stud. The connection member 152 is disposed on the first 110 and/or second 112 fascia plates. The second end 148 is adapted to be released from the connection member 152 when the access door 102 is overextended and/or opened with too great a force, thereby restricting damage to one or more of the access door 102, storage unit 100, hinge 120, and/or an operator.
In an embodiment, as illustrated in
In an another embodiment, as illustrated in
In an alternate embodiment (not shown), the bracket 122 can be disposed on the storage unit 100, and the connection member 152 is disposed on the access door 102.
As used herein, the term “coupled” can mean any physical, electrical, magnetic, or other connection, either direct or indirect, between two parties. The term “coupled” is not limited to a fixed direct coupling between two entities.
The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of the inventors' contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.
