Patent Application
20080048536
In the accompanying drawings:
As is the case with many inventions, the present invention for a collapsible storage arrangement for hanging files is subject to a wide variety of embodiments. However, to ensure that one skilled in the art will be able to understand and, in appropriate cases, practice the present invention, certain preferred embodiments of the broader invention revealed herein are described below and shown in the accompanying drawing figures. Before any particular embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it must be made clear that the following details of construction and illustrations of inventive concepts are mere examples of the many possible manifestations of the invention.
Turning more particularly to the drawings, an exemplary embodiment of a collapsible storage arrangement for hanging files is indicated generally at 10 in
In the present, embodiment, the storage housing 12 comprises a generally rectangular container. The storage housing 12 has an open inner volume defined by a first end wall 21, a second end wall 23 disposed generally opposite to the first end wall 21, a first side wall 25, a second side wall 27 disposed generally opposite to the first side wall 25, and a bottom 29. In certain constructions, the walls 21, 23, 25, and 27 and the bottom 29 can be integrally formed, such as by molding or by any other effective method, from plastic, rubber, or any other suitable material. While it need not necessarily be, the storage housing 12 could, in particular embodiments, be substantially watertight. The storage housing 12 can be opaque or, as is shown in the present embodiment, translucent or transparent. The wails 21, 23, 25, and 27 can project outwardly at a given angle from the bottom to the top thereof. The storage housing 12 can have a peripheral ridge 30 that communicates along the walls 21, 23, 25, and 27. A handle 15 can be disposed at each end wall 21 and 23 of the storage housing 12, such as by being integrally formed therewith, to enable a lifting and carrying of the collapsible storage arrangement 10.
The collapsible storage arrangement 10 can additionally include a lid 28. The lid 28 can have a peripheral channel 32 along the lower surface thereof corresponding in shape and size to the shape and size of the ridge 30 of the storage housing 12. With the pivotable framework 14 in a storage configuration, the lid 28 can thus be engaged with the storage housing 12 by a reception of the ridge 30 into the peripheral channel 32. The collapsible storage arrangement 10 can thus be stored, such as under a bed, in a closet, or elsewhere, with the file folders 24 and the contents thereof retained safely and securely in a protected manner.
As in the current embodiment, the upper surface of the lid 28 and the bottom 29 of the storage housing 12 can be designed to nest. For example, the bottom 29 can be sized and shaped to be received within the obverse rim defined by the channel 32. Under such a construction, multiple collapsible storage arrangements 10 can be stacked atop one another when at least the lower arrangement or arrangements 10 are in their collapsed configurations.
The pivotable framework 14 in the embodiment of
As shown in
Of course, other handle configurations are possible For example, an abbreviated handle section (not shown) can be disposed in a central portion of the frame structures 16 and 18. Furthermore, the handle portion 66 can be disposed at substantially any other angle, including perpendicularly, relative to the remainder of the frame structures 16 and 18. Furthermore, where appropriate, the handle portion 66 could be padded, coated, or otherwise rendered more economically friendly if necessary or desirable. These and other handle configurations are possible and within the scope of the invention.
In any case, with the first and second frame structures 16 and 18 configured as in
As is commonly practiced under the prior art, the locking end caps 35 can comprise domes with an entrance lined with deflectable, inwardly projecting locking fins. The locking fins can deflect and engage the ends of the pivot legs 74 thereby to lock the caps 35 in place and to prevent the pivot legs 74 from being retracted through the apertures 37. Of course, other locking means are well within the scope of the invention, including, for example, cotter pins, locking nuts, broadened distal portions of the pivot legs 74, or any other means for effectively securing the pivot legs 74 in place.
A first support rail 20 can have a first end pivotally engaged with the first frame structure 16, such as by having the shoulder portion 70 to a first side of the first frame structure 16 received through an aperture adjacent to the first end of the first support rail 20 to establish an upper pivot axis 42. A second end of the first rail 20 can be pivotally engaged with the second frame structure 18 by having the shoulder portion 70 to a first side of the second frame structure 18 received through an aperture adjacent to the second end of the first support rail 20 to establish an upper pivot axis 46. Similarly, a second support rail 22 can have a first end pivotally engaged with the first frame structure 16 by having the shoulder portion 70 to a second side of the first frame structure 16 received through an aperture adjacent to the first end of the second rail 22 to establish an upper pivot axis 44. A second end of the second rail can be pivotally engaged with the second frame structure 18 by having the shoulder portion 70 to a second side of the second frame structure 18 received through an aperture adjacent to the second end of the second support rail 22 to establish an upper pivot axis 48.
The first and second support rails 20 and 22 in the present embodiment comprise elongate bars of rigid material such as metal. In alternative embodiments, the first and second support rails 20 and 22 could be formed from wires (not shown) retained in tension and may be looped or otherwise secured to the first and second frame structures 16 and 18. In a further alternative, which again is not explicitly shown, the first and second rails 20 and 22 could be eliminated, and either or both of the first and second frame structures 16 and 18 could be longitudinally adjustable, such as along tracks, in relation to securing apertures, or otherwise, in relation to the storage housing 12 to enable file folders 24 to be tightly retained between the first and second frame structures 16 and 18. The first and second frame structures 16 and 18 could then be pivotable between upright and collapsed configurations to cause a dependent adjustment of the file folders 24 between storage and use dispositions.
As shown most clearly in
While the sleeves 79 and 81 are illustrated as spanning across the angles between the shoulder portion 70 and the upper leg portion 68 and between the shoulder portion 70 and the middle leg portion 71, it will be readily appreciated that one or both sleeves 79 and 81 may alternatively be disposed only on the shoulder portion 70 or, possibly, only on the upper or middle leg portions 68 or 71. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention are contemplated where the separate washers 75 and 77 are foregone in favor of sleeves 79 and 81 with broadened end portions (not shown).
The sleeves 79 and 81, which can be crafted from rubber, plastic, metal, or any other suitable material, can have slots therein for enabling an engagement with the frame structure 16 from a radial direction. Alternatively, the sleeves 79 and 81 can be slid onto the frame structure 16 from an end thereof. The inner and outer sleeves 79 and 81 can themselves be restrained relative to the frame structure 16 by, for example, an interference fit to create a frictional engagement, by adhesive (not shown), or by any other effective means for preventing unintentional sliding or dislodging of the sleeves 79 and 81. With this, undesirable lateral movement of the first and second support rails 20 and 22 is prevented.
As shown in
The rails 60 have first and second ends that extend beyond the side edges of the first and second panels of the folder portion 58. A hook portion 62 is disposed at each end of the rails 60. As shown, for example, in
The distance between the upper pivot axes 42 and 46 can be substantially the same as the distance between the lower pivot axes 34 and 38. Also, the distance between the upper pivot axes 44 and 48 can be substantially the same as the distance between the lower pivot axes 36 and 40. Furthermore, the first and second frame structures 16 and 18 can be substantially identical in height. With this, the first and second frame structures 16 and 18 will be maintained in a substantially parallel relationship. Also, assuming the storage housing 12 is disposed in a generally level condition, the first and second support rails 20 and 22 will thus be maintained in a substantially horizontal disposition even as the framework 14 is pivoted between its upright configuration where file folders 24 are supported generally vertically as in
A guide member 26 can be provided to guide the file folders 24 from a vertical disposition to their reclined disposition. In the present embodiment, the guide member 26 comprises a flexible member with a first end and a second end. Embodiments of the guide member 26 can be resiliently extendible in length. The first end of the guide member 26 can be fixed to a central portion of the handle portion 66 of the second frame structure 18. While numerous potential fastening methods will be obvious and within the scope of the invention, one presently contemplated embodiment can have the guide member 26 looped around the handle portion 66 and secured to itself, such as by stitching, stapling, adhesive, or any other means. The second end of the guide member 26 can be retained more proximally to the first frame structure 16, such as at the base of the first end wall 21. The second end of the guide member 26 can be secured to the base of the first end wall 21 by a fastening arrangement 52, which again could vary within the scope of the invention. As shown in
So arranged, the guide member 26 presents an inclined support surface for the file folders 24. It will be noted that, since the handle portion 66 of the second frame structure 18 will pivot away from the first end wall 21, the distance between the first and second ends of the guide member 26 will increase as the pivotable framework 14 is tilted from its upright configuration to its collapsed configuration. With this, the guide member 26 will tend to be placed in greater tension and, therefore, will tend to pursue a straighter configuration. The sloped support, surface presented by the guide member 26 thus tends to bias and guide the file folders 24 toward the reclined position of FIG, 2 automatically as the pivotable framework 14 is pivoted from the upright configuration to the collapsed configuration. Consequently, the file folders 24 are reliably guided to an organized, reclined disposition and are prevented from becoming dislodged from the support rails 20 and 22.
The operation of the guide member 26 and of the collapsible storage arrangement 10 in general can be better understood with additional reference to the sequential depictions of
To facilitate the transportation of the collapsible storage arrangement 10, such as between storage and use locations, the embodiment of
In
The height of the second frame structure 18 can be seen to be greater than the distance between the first and second lower pivot axes 38 and 40 and the base of the second end wall 23 of the storage housing 12 but less than the distance between the pivot axes 38 and 40 and the upper end of the second end wall 23. With this, the handle portion 66 of the second frame structure 18, and thus the pivotable framework 14, will tend to be supported by the second end wall 23 of the storage housing 12 at a given angle of recline. The rail and hook portions 60 and 62 of the file folders 24 will thus continue to tend to be supported by and apply weight to the support rails 20 and 22 of the pivotable framework 14 whereby they will continue to be safely retained.
In
Finally, in
With continued reference to
When the user has completed a given use of the collapsible storage arrangement 10, the sequential steps suggested by
Another embodiment of the collapsible storage arrangement 10 is depicted in
First and second support rails 20 and 22 again can have first ends pivotally coupled to the first frame structure 16 to establish first and second upper pivot axes 42 and 44, which can be coaxial. In the present embodiment, the pivotal coupling is achieved by an axle 86 that traverses laterally across an upper portion of the first frame structure 16 and has first and second ends extending beyond the lateral edges of the first frame structure 16 to be received respectively through apertures in the first and second support rails 20 and 22 adjacent to the first ends thereof. Second ends of the first and second support rails 20 and 22 can be pivotally coupled to the second frame structure 18 to establish first and second pivot axes 46 and 48 by an axle 88 that traverses laterally across an upper portion of the second frame structure 18 and has first and seconds extending beyond the lateral edges of the second frame structure 18 to be received respectively through apertures in the first and second support rails 20 and 22 adjacent to the second ends thereof. With the distance between the pivot axes 34 and 38 being substantially equal to the distance between pivot axes 44 and 48 and pivot axes 42 and 46, the first and second frame structures 16 and 18 move in a dependent and generally parallel relationship. Assuming the storage housing 12 is retained in a substantially level orientation, the first and second support rails 20 and 22 will be maintained in a generally level disposition as the pivotable framework 14 is pivoted between the collapsed configuration of
A handle 78, such as a knob, can be coupled to the first frame structure 16 to facilitate a manipulation of the pivotable framework 14. A latching arrangement 84 can be operably associated with the pivotable framework 14 for enabling a selective locking of the pivotable framework 14 in an upright configuration. Of course, numerous dispositions and types of latching arrangements 84 would be possible and within the scope of the invention. For example, latching arrangements 84 could readily comprise magnets, clips, catches, springs, locks, a groove or mouth for receiving a portion of the frame structure 16, or any other device or arrangement constructed for selectively coupling two structures. In the depicted embodiment, the latching arrangement 84 has a first coupling portion fixed to the first end wall 21 of the storage housing 12 and a second coupling portion fixed to the first frame structure 16.
The collapsible storage arrangement 10 can further include a guide panel 76 for guiding file folders 24 (not shown in
As shown in the embodiment of
A further embodiment of the collapsible storage arrangement 10 is depicted in
First and second support rails 20 and 22 can have first ends pivotally coupled to an axle 86 at an upper portion of the first frame structure 16, and second ends of the first and second support rails 20 and 22 can be pivotally coupled to an axle 88 at an upper portion of the second frame structure 18. The distance between the axles 86 and 88 can be generally equal to the distance between the axles 96 and 98, and the first and second frame structures 16 and 18 can be substantially equal in height. With this, the first and second frame structures 16 and 18 will be maintained in a generally parallel relationship, and the first and second support rails 20 and 22 will be maintained in a substantially horizontal position when the storage housing 12 is in a horizontal orientation. The distance from the axis of rotation of the axle 98 to the second end wall 23 can be less than the overall height of the second frame structure 18 such that the pivotable arrangement 14 can be supported by the second end wall 23 when in a collapsed configuration.
Turning to
The inclined guide surface 108 and the portions of the second end wall 23 and the bottom that are covered by the inclined guide surface 108 can together define an open inner volume. A door 112 with a handle 114 can enable access to the open inner volume. With this, the open inner volume can be used for storage and the like. Alternatively, the door 112 can be eliminated, and the open volume can merely be defined by the inclined guide surface 108, which would act merely as a retention wail for retaining contents of the open inner volume in place. A label holder 116, which in this example is retained relative to the first end wall 21 of the storage housing 12, can enable a labeling of the contents of the collapsible storage arrangement 10 thereby to enable a most efficient storage and retrieval of documents and other items.
The collapsible storage arrangement 10 of
In the further embodiment of
In yet another alternative, a collapsible storage arrangement 10 is contemplated wherein the lid 28 can be bifurcated (not shown) or unitary as shown previously and can be hingedly coupled to the storage housing 12. The lid 28 can be geared to the pivotable framework 14 to induce an automatic raising of the pivotable framework 14 in response to an opening of the lid 28 or lid halves and an automatic lowering of the pivotable framework 14 in response to a closing of the lid 28 or lid halves. In a further alternative, gearing may be replaced by a tether (not shown) coupling the lid 28 or lid halves to the pivotable framework 14 thereby to produce a dependent raising and lowering of the framework 14 in response to an opening and closing of the lid 28 or lid halves.
Embodiments of the collapsible storage arrangement 10 are also contemplated where means are incorporated for assisting in the raising and, additionally or alternatively, the lowering of the pivotable framework 14. For example, although not shown in the drawings, alternative embodiments may incorporate springs, pneumatic cylinders, or hydraulic cylinders (none of which being shown) for providing force assisting force for the raising or lowering of the pivotable framework 14. Still further, if necessary or desirable, cushioning, resilient bands, springs, or the like (not shown) may be appropriately disposed, such as by being interposed between the pivotable framework 14 and the first or second end walls 21 or 23 of the storage housing 12, to cushion or minimize impacts between the pivotable framework 14 and the storage housing 12.
Still further, it is contemplated that multiple collapsible storage arrangements 10 can be employed to establish a system wherein pivotable frameworks 14 are retained in relation to longitudinally extendable and retractable drawers (not shown). The system could yield a filing arrangement with multiple drawers but with an abbreviated height as compared to prior art arrangements with corresponding numbers of drawers. The pivotable frameworks 14 could be manually raised and lowered or adapted to raise and lower automatically in response to an opening and closing of a drawer, such as by being coupled as by a string, wire, or gearing, to a frame structure of the filing arrangement.
Having disclosed certain exemplary embodiments of the invention, it will be appreciated that numerous advantages can be achieved over file storage arrangements of the prior art. Significant volumes of documents and other materials can be stored in a readily accessible manner without a need for dedicated floor space within a room. By enabling the file folders 24 to pursue a reclined position for storage, the required clearance height for the collapsible storage arrangement 10 is greatly reduced whereby file folders 24 and their contents can be stored in locations, such as under a bed, table, or desk, where their organized storage would be otherwise impossible. Square footage normally consumed by file cabinets can thus be freed for other purposes. Furthermore, collapsible storage arrangements 10 as taught herein can be readily transported, such as in the event of an emergency or to enable transport of materials for usage at a given destination, without a need for removing the file folders 24 or their contents from the storage arrangement 10 for transportation. Even further, file folders 24 and their contents can be stored in a private and concealed manner as compared to storage arrangements of the prior art.
With certain details of the present invention for a collapsible storage arrangement for hanging files disclosed, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that changes and additions could be made thereto without deviating from the spirit or scope of the invention. This is particularly true when one bears in mind that the presently preferred embodiments merely exemplify the broader invention revealed herein. Accordingly, it will be clear that those with certain major features of the invention in mind could craft embodiments that incorporate those major features while not incorporating all of the features included in the preferred embodiments.
Therefore, the following claims are intended to define the scope of protection to be afforded to the inventor. Those claims shall be deemed to include equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention. It must be further noted that a plurality of the following claims express certain elements as means for performing a specific function, at times without the recital of structure or material. As the law demands, these claims shall be construed to cover not only the corresponding structure and material expressly described in this specification but also all equivalents thereof that might be now known or hereafter discovered.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60779752 | Mar 2006 | US |
