TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention generally relates to home products, such as laundry hampers, and more particularly to laundry hampers that are collapsible to allow for, among other things, portability and ease of storage.
BACKGROUND
In recent years, the home products industry has seen an increasing interest in intelligent, convenient, fresh and efficient designs that complement a wide range of home decors, without sacrificing design functionality. This trend has been accelerated by the recent popularity of home remodeling, design, and make-over programming on television. In light of these trends, many household products have seen renewed design treatment.
One such product that has not seen a lot of such attention, however, is the laundry hamper. Many existing designs, while functional, do not offer a fresh and updated treatment, nor do they incorporate newly innovative features making them more versatile and functional. The present invention provides a laundry hamper design incorporating many design aspects, including functionality, convenience, versatility, efficiency and style, to name a few.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a collapsible laundry hamper. According to a particular aspect, the hamper comprises a collapsible frame and a panel member removably attached to the frame to enclose and define an interior space of the hamper with an opening to access the interior space of the hamper. The frame includes a top frame member, a bottom frame member, and a set of elongate upright frame members disposed therebetween. Each of the upright frame members comprises at least two sub-members biased into engagement with each other via a biasing member. Each of the upright frame members are also biased into engagement with the top and bottom frame members via the biasing member. The biasing member maintains the frame members in a rigid frame position. The sub-members and the top and bottom frame members are capable of being pulled apart against the biased engagement provided by the biasing member and articulated to allow the frame to be placed into a collapsed position. The articulation of the sub-members and the frame members creates additional force via the biasing members in the collapsed position such that when either one of the top frame member and the bottom frame member is pulled away from the other in the collapsed position, the frame is urged to return to the rigid frame position under the influence of the biasing members.
Other aspects will become apparent and be more fully understood from the drawings, descriptions, and claims set forth herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible hamper embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a frame of the collapsible hamper shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the frame shown in FIG. 2 in an initial disengaged position.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the frame shown in FIG. 2 in an intermediate collapsed position.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the frame shown in FIG. 2 in a fully collapsed position.
FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the frame shown in FIG. 2 taken along section line 6-6.
FIG. 6
a is a detail view of a section of the frame shown in FIG. 6.
FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the frame shown in FIG. 2 taken along section line 6-6 in an initial disengaged position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The description that follows describes, illustrates and exemplifies one or more particular embodiments of the present invention in accordance with its principles. This description is not provided to limit the invention to the embodiments described herein, but rather to explain and teach the principles of the invention in such a way to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to understand these principles and, with that understanding, be able to apply them to practice not only the embodiments described herein, but other embodiments that may come to mind in accordance with these principles. The scope of the present invention is intended to cover all such embodiments that may fall within the scope of the appended claims, either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.
It should be noted that in the description and drawings, like or substantially similar elements may be labeled with the same reference numerals. However, sometimes these elements may be labeled with differing numbers in cases where such labeling facilitates a more clear description. Additionally, the drawings set forth herein are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in some instances proportions may have been exaggerated to more clearly depict certain features.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a collapsible laundry hamper 10 is shown, which incorporates the principles of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows the hamper 10 in a fully-assembled state. The hamper 10 includes a collapsible frame 12 (shown in FIG. 2) and a panel member 14 (shown in FIG. 1) removably attached to the frame 12 to enclose and define an interior space 16 of the hamper 10 with an opening 18 to access the interior space 16 of the hamper 10. In a preferred embodiment, the panel member 14 is attached to the frame 12 via a plurality of hook and loop fasteners, such as those manufactured by Velcro Industries B.V. under the trade name Velcro®. Other fastening mechanisms can be employed as well, including other mechanical fasteners, such as hooks, clips, snaps, or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the panel member 14 is in the form of a bag having a generally rectangular-shaped periphery, such as that shown in FIG. 1. In another preferred embodiment, the panel member is made out of a canvas material. Other materials, however, are contemplated and can be utilized, such as other cotton or natural fiber fabrics, synthetic or synthetic blend fabrics, such as nylon or nylon mesh, flexible plastic sheet material, or the like. Additionally, the panel member can also take the form of multiple separate panels as opposed to a single bag-like structure. In other embodiments, the panel member may take the form of several flat and rigid structures that cooperate to enclose the frame 12. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a second bag 17 is disposed within the interior space 16 of the hamper 10 and within the panel member 14. The second bag 17, which acts as a liner for the hamper and is a removable laundry bag for toting laundry, can also be attached to the frame 12 via a hook and loop fastener 19, or the like.
As shown in FIG. 2, the frame 12 includes a top frame member 20, a bottom frame member 22, and a set of elongate upright frame members 24 disposed therebetween. While the frame members illustrated in FIG. 2 take the form of structures constructed from tubular members in a specific geometric arrangement, it should be understood that these frame members can be constructed from many different structures having various form factors. Additionally, these members can be arranged in other geometric formats as well and still function in accordance with the principles of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the top frame member 20 is larger than the bottom frame member 22, which allows the opening 18 to be larger for better access to the interior space 16 of the hamper 10.
As will be described in more detail below, the collapsible hamper 10 is capable of being disengaged, articulated, and collapsed into a collapsed position, as illustrated by the progressive figures shown in FIGS. 3-5.
To help facilitate the collapsible feature of the hamper 10, each of the upright frame members 24 comprises at least two sub-members 26 biased into engagement with each other via a biasing or elastic member 28 disposed therewithin, which best shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 6. Each of the upright frame members 24 are also biased into engagement with the top and bottom frame members 20, 22 via the biasing members 28 disposed within each of the upright frame members 24 and connected to the top and bottom frame members 20, 22. The biasing members 28 maintain the frame members 20, 22, 24 in a rigid frame position, as that shown in FIG. 2. Each of the biasing members 28 is pre-loaded with a predetermined amount of tension to provide the necessary biased engagement of the frame members 20, 22, 24, as well as the sub-members 26. The predetermined tension can be varied in magnitude, depending on the desired feel to a user articulating the frame members 20, 22, 24 to place the frame 12 in the collapsed state. The tension should also be sufficient to adequately maintain the frame 12 in its rigid state. It should be noted that the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 6 is similar for each of the upright frame members 24 and its engagement with the top and bottom frame members 20, 22. For simplicity of illustration, only one cross-section is shown.
The sub-members 26 of the upright frame members 24, and the top and bottom frame members 20, 22 are capable of being pulled apart against the biased engagement provided by each of the biasing members 28 and articulated to allow the frame to be placed into a collapsed position, as shown in FIG. 5. The articulation of the sub-members 26 of the upright frame members 24 and the frame members 20, 22 creates additional force via the biasing members 28 in the collapsed position such that when either one of the top frame member 20 and the bottom frame member 22 is pulled away from the other in the collapsed position, the frame 12 is urged to return to the rigid frame position (shown in FIG. 2) under the influence of the biasing members 28.
Referring to FIG. 2 and the cross-sectional view of FIG. 6, the upright members 24 of the frame 12 are preferably constructed from tubular structures, or other structures having a passage therein, which allows the biasing members 28 to be disposed therein and pass therethrough for connection to the top and the bottom frame members 20, 22. In a preferred embodiment, the top and the bottom frame members 20, 22 are also constructed from similar tubular structures for consistency and integration of design. In a preferred embodiment, the tubular structures are made of poly-vinyl chloride (PVC), chlorinated poly-vinyl chloride (CPVC), polyethylene, polypropylene, or other polymeric materials suitable for such structures. Additionally, the tubular structures may be made of a composite, such as fiberglass or fiber-reinforced materials. Metal tubing can also be utilized, such as aluminum or powder-coated steel tubing. Additionally, the tubular structures can have any type of cross-sectional geometry, such as a circular, elliptical, or rectangular cross-sectional geometry.
Referring to FIG. 2 and the cross-sectional view of FIG. 6, the top and the bottom frame members 20, 22 preferably include a set of frame connectors 30 that facilitate engagement with the upright frame members 24. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, due to the rectangular periphery of the top and the bottom frames 20, 22, the frame connectors 30 are in the form of corner connectors each having three sub-member connection portions 30a, 30b, and 30c, which are more easily seen in cross-section in FIGS. 6 and 6a. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the top and the bottom frame members 20, 22 are constructed from a set of four sub-members 32 and 34 respectively. The sub-member connection portions 30a and 30b of each frame connector 30 each engage either an end of one of the sub-members 32 or 34. The sub-member connection portion 30c of each frame connector engages an end of one of the sub-members 26 of the upright frame members 24, thereby defining a biasing or elastic frame member joint. As shown in the cross-section of FIGS. 6 and 6a, each of the sub-member connection portions 30a, 30b and 30c of the frame connectors 30 preferably comprise a male slip-fit connector 36 that engages a receptacle or open end 38 of a respective sub-member 26, 32, or 34. In a preferred embodiment, each of the frame connectors 30 of the bottom frame member 22 include a foot 39 to facilitate support of the hamper 10 in an upright position. The frame connectors 30 are preferably made from PVC, CPVC, polypropylene, polyethylene, or other polymeric material suitable for such structures, but can alternatively be made from a metallic material, or composite material, such as a carbon-based composite, fiber-reinforced composite, fiberglass, or the like.
In a preferred embodiment, to facilitate engagement between the sub-members 26 of the upright frame members 24, a slip fit joint 40 is provided having connection portions 40a and 40b, as best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. In a preferred embodiment, the connection portions 40a and 40b each comprise a male slip fit connector 42 that is configured to engage a receptacle or open end 44 of one of the sub-members 26. In a preferred embodiment, one of the connection portions 40a or 40b is permanently affixed to one of the ends of one of the sub-members 26 so that the other connection portion is free to engage the open end of the other corresponding sub-member 26. As shown in FIG. 7, connection portion 40b is permanently affixed to the lower sub-member 26, which allows connection portion 40a to removably engage the open end 44 of the upper sub-member 26. The biasing member 28 passes through the joint 40, thereby defining an biasing or elastic sub-member joint.
When disengaged by pulling the sub-members 26 apart against the bias of the biasing member 28, the sub members 26 can be articulated with respect to each other as shown in FIG. 7, which creates additional bias via the biasing member 28. Likewise, disengagement of the sub-members 26 from the frame connectors 30 further allows articulation of the sub-members 26 with respect to each other as well as the top and the bottom frame members 20, 22. Referring to FIGS. 3-5, the sub-members 26 of the upright frame members 24, and the top and the bottom frame members 20, 22 are preferably articulated in the sequence shown in the figures. First, the sub-members 26 of each upright frame member 24 are disengaged at the joint 40 and at each frame connector 30 of the top frame member 20 (two of the upper sub-members 26 are shown disengaged as such in FIG. 3). Next, once disengaged from the upper sub-members 26, the top frame member 20 can be simultaneously rotated and lowered toward the remaining frame as shown in FIG. 4. These two steps can be repeated for the lower sub-members 26 and the bottom frame member 22, which results in the frame 12 being placed in the collapsed position shown in FIG. 5.
An effective implementation of the collapsible feature of the frame 12 is through use of the biasing members 28, which in a preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 6, run contiguously through each of the upright frame members 24 between its respective frame connectors 30. In this embodiment, the biasing member 28 is an elongated cord-like elastic member, such as a bungee cord, rubber band, or the like. It should be noted, however, that the biasing member can also be a spring, such as a metallic coil spring, or any other structure that can provide a bias force, including technically “non-elastic” embodiments, and such embodiments are intended to be included within the meaning of the term “elastic member.” As shown in FIG. 6, one end 46 of the biasing member 28 is connected to the top frame connector 30 and the other end 48 of the biasing member 28 is connected to the bottom frame connector 30. In a preferred embodiment, such as that shown in FIGS. 6, 6a, and 7, each end of the biasing member 28 is connected to its respective frame connector 30 by passing through an aperture 50 within the connector 30 and prevented from returning back therethrough by a knot 52 tied in the biasing member 28. The knot 52 bears against a bearing surface 54 of the connector 30 disposed around the aperture 50 to provide the necessary connection. Other connection configurations are contemplated as well, including connection by mechanical fasteners, integrated molding of the biasing member ends therein, adhesive, or other similar means for connecting. Additionally, the biasing members could be tied or fastened to a loop, hook, or other protrusion formed within the frame connector 30.
Although a contiguous biasing member 28 is shown in the figures, it is also contemplated that a plurality of biasing members can be utilized within each upright frame member 24. In such an arrangement, a separate biasing member would be provided at each point of engagement between the sub-members 26 and the top and the bottom frame members 20, 22, as well as between the sub-members 26 themselves at the joint 40. Additionally, as referenced above, while the preferred embodiments utilize an elastic biasing member, other embodiments, which may be non-elastic, are contemplated as well. For example, a mechanical joint, mechanism, or linkage could be utilized between the members, which would guide the frame into the rigid position with the force of gravity. In such embodiments, a locking mechanism could be incorporated to keep the mechanisms from allowing the frame to return into a non-rigid position. An example of such a locking mechanism is a collar or sleeve that slides over the joint to lock it in place.
In this example, the collar or sleeve could be designed to slide over the joint under the influence of gravity so that the frame can be placed in a rigid position in one step, rather than having to individually lock each joint.
Among the numerous benefits of the collapsible feature of the hamper 10, one that is of great interest to the manufacturing, distribution, and retail chain is the small package size required to package the hamper in the collapsed position. Many more units can be packaged together for shipment and distribution. From the retail side, less shelf or floor space would be required for presentation to the consumer. This results in cost savings at many levels within the distribution chain.
In the collapsed position, the frame 12, the panel member 14, and the second bag 17 can all be packaged in a relatively flat package, such as a plastic bag. The packaging also helps maintain the frame 12 in the collapsed position by resisting the bias applied by the biasing members 28 until it is removed from the packaging. Alternatively, the frame 12 can be secured by a band or other structure to help maintain it in the collapsed position. When unpackaged and/or unsecured, the frame 12 can be placed in the rigid frame position under the influence of the bias applied by the biasing members 28 when either one of the top or bottom frame members is pulled away from the other. Once the frame 12 is placed in the rigid frame position as shown in FIG. 2, the panel member 14 and the second bag 17 can be attached to the frame as shown in FIG. 1 to complete the assembly of the hamper 10.
While one or more specific embodiments have been illustrated and described in connection with the present invention, it is understood that the present invention should not be limited to any single embodiment, but rather construed in breadth and scope in accordance with recitation of the appended claims.
Patent Grant
8100280
