BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to collapsible structures and specifically to a collapsible container for household use.
A typical household often encounters the need for temporary storage of garments prior to washing or cleaning. Regardless of the place where laundry or cleaning is done, either at home or in a commercial setting, soiled garments need to be sorted, stored, and eventually transported to a designated place. Usual storage structures are bulking and require space when not in use. The present invention can be utilized for garment sorting, storage and transportation, while being collapsible for facile and space-saving storage while not in use. At the same time, the present invention can also be used for other purposes, such as storage or transportation of toys or other objects. Accordingly, its use is not to be limited to storage or transportation of soiled garments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a collapsible structure and specifically to a collapsible structure for home use as a hamper or the like, and method of making and using the same.
According to the present invention, the foregoing and other advantages are obtained by providing a collapsible structure comprising a plurality of panels including opposed side panels, opposed front and back panels, and a floor panel, forming an enclosure having a top and a bottom, the top having an opening. In the preferred embodiment, each side panel and the front and back panels comprises a flexible continuous loop frame, a web of material, and an edging material. The edging material envelops the loop frame and is coupled to the periphery of the web. Each of the floor panel and the top includes a periphery having an edging material. The edging material envelops a loop frame in a manner similar to that of the side panels and front and back panels. Each of the floor panel and top is further provided with a rigid border member to support a mesh panel or to frame the opening, as will be discussed, thus forming the structure.
A preferred method of manufacturing the collapsible structure includes the steps of coupling edging to selected webs such that the edging surrounds the perimeter of the web and forms a channel or pocket through which the frame will later be inserted. After the side panels having edging have been formed, opposed sides of the front panel are each attached to respective first sides of the side panels. Next, respective second sides of each side panel are connected with opposed sides of the back panel. A flexible frame for each side panel is inserted through the channel formed by each edging. The ends of each frame member are connected, preferably using a crimped butt connector, to give the collapsible structure its ability to freely stand in a rigid, expanded, upright state. Next, an edging is coupled to the periphery of each of the top and the floor panel and a flexible frame for each periphery is inserted through the channel formed by each edging. The ends of each frame member are connected in manner similar to that used for the side panels. A rigid border member is attached to the top and the floor panel. The rigid border members are adapted to support closure structures such as flexible mesh webbing.
From the expanded state, the structure can be folded and collapsed for storage or transportation. The preferred steps of collapsing the structure include grasping the rigid border member of the top and rotating it 180° while compressing the side panels and the front and back panels until the panels are spiraled against each other and the rigid border members are adjacent and overlay each other. While the structure is now collapsed, downward pressure is required to prevent the structure from springing back into an expanded state. Next, the fastener members on a rigid border member are pivoted to catch a corresponding latch member on an opposite rigid border member to thereby hold the structure in the collapsed state for storage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible structure according to the present invention.
FIGS. 2-6 depict a method of collapsing the collapsible structure, and using a fastener and latch system to hold the collapsed structure in the collapsed state.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the structure in collapsed condition.
FIG. 8 is a cutaway view of the collapsible structure illustrating the interrelationship of the various components while in expanded condition.
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary cutaway view showing attachment of a rigid frame member to the top loop frame.
FIG. 10A is an enlarged cross sectional view of the loop frame used in the top and the floor panel.
FIG. 10B is an enlarged cross sectional view similar to that of FIG. 9A, but showing the loop frame used in the side panels, the front panel and the back panel.
FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the collapsible structure.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view, similar to FIG. 1, but showing an alternative collapsible structure having looped handles and imperforate material.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view, similar to those of FIGS. 1 and 12, but showing an alternative collapsible structure having rigid handles.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view, similar to that of FIGS. 1, 12, and 13, but showing an alternative collapsible structure having rigid looped handles.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the collapsible structure illustrated in FIG. 14, but in collapsed condition.
FIG. 16 is a perspective view an alternative collapsible structure according to the present invention and showing hand hold apertures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.
As shown in the Figures, a collapsible structure 10 according to the present invention comprises a front panel 12, a rear panel 14, two opposed side panels 20, a top panel 30, and a floor panel 40. The front panel 12, rear panel 14, two side panels 20, top panel 30 having an opening 32, and floor panel 40 are connected to one another to form a substantially rectangular enclosure 10 having the opening 32 for access.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 11 it may be seen that each side panel 20 comprises a frame 22, a web 24, and an edging 26. The frame 22 is flexible, preferably formed from a sufficiently stiff yet resilient material such as spring steel wire or plastic, and may form a loop that may or may not be continuous. Preferably, the frame 22 has a rectangular cross-section, as seen in FIG. 10B. The frame 22 is contained within the channel or pocket 25 formed by the edging 26 (best seen in FIG. 11). The webs 24 are a flexible foldable material, such as nylon cloth or nylon mesh, but can be any suitably flexible material. The nylon, or other flexible material, may be solid or perforated. The perimeter of the web 24 is stitched to the edging 26 such that the edging 26 forms a pocket 25 about the periphery of the web 24. The edging 26 is a foldable, but stretch-resistant material capable of housing the frame 22 within its pocket 25.
With further reference to FIGS. 1 and 11, the front panel 12 and rear panel 14 preferably each comprise a continuous and non-interrupted foldable material. Each panel web 24 preferably comprises a continuous and non-interrupted mesh material, or alternatively, may comprise a combination of mesh material and non-mesh foldable material. FIG. 12 illustrates the use of non-mesh foldable material for each panel web 24.
As may be further seen, the front and rear panels 12, 14 may each include a handle member 80, 80A for ease in transport. As seen, the handle members 80, 80A each have both ends connected to the top side 16 of a respective panel 12, 14. The handle members 80, 80A may be formed from a stretch-resistance material and having a web 82 that extends between a portion of each strap side. The handle members 80, 80A for the present invention are not limited to the particular type shown in FIGS. 1-8 and 11. Two alternative embodiments are shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, illustrating different handle members. In FIG. 13, the handle members 180 are rigid hand grips which extend from the rigid border member 60. The handle members 180 may be affixed to the rigid border member 60 or may be integrally formed as a one piece construction with the rigid border member 60. FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate alternative handle members 280, 280A. As seen, the handle members 280, 280A may be formed from a relatively rigid material and affixed to the rigid border member 60. The handle members 280, 280A of these views include a bail portion 84 for ease in carrying.
With particular reference now to FIG. 11, the top panel 30 is seen to have a generally rectangular shape having a periphery that defines a top opening 32. Further seen is the floor panel 40 which also has a generally rectangular shape having a periphery. The periphery of both the top panel 30 and the floor panel 40 includes an edging 26. The edging 26 forms a pocket 25 about the periphery of the top panel 30 and the floor panel 40 and, similar to the edging 26 discussed in conjunction with the side panels 20, is a foldable, but stretch-resistant material capable of housing a frame 22A within its pocket 25. As seen in FIG. 10A, the frame 22A used in conjunction with the top panel 30 and the floor panel 40 preferably has a round cross section. In construction, the front panel 12 and the rear panel 14 each include four corner sections 52 which are attached to four substantially perpendicular sides of each side panel 20, the top panel periphery, and the floor panel 40 periphery.
With reference now to FIGS. 9 and 11, a rigid border member 60 is positioned over and is attached to the edging 26 of the top panel 30. As seen, the rigid border member 60 may include a mounting element 62 having an abutment 64 to support the frame 22A in its pocket 25. The abutment 64 may be further adapted to receive a fastener, such as the screw 66 and washer 68 combination shown. An opening 32 within the rigid border member 60 provides access to the enclosure 10.
In a manner similar to that of the top panel 30, a rigid border member 60 is positioned over and is attached to the edging 26 of the floor panel 40. As with the top panel 30, the rigid border member 60 used in conjunction with the floor panel 40 may include a mounting element 62 adapted to support the frame 22A in its pocket 25 and further to receive a fastener such as the screw 66 and washer 68 combination shown in FIGS. 9 and 11. With regard to the floor panel 40, a web 24 may be attached to the edging 26 in a manner similar to that of panels 12, 14. The web 24 may perforate or imperforate, as desired and formed from any suitably flexible material. One of the rigid border members 60 is further preferably provided with latches 70 which may be moved between open and closed positions. The latches 70 engage corresponding protruding catches 72 on the opposite rigid border member 60 to thereby hold the structure 10 in the collapsed state for storage, as will be discussed.
Although stitching is presented as the preferred means for attaching or connecting the elements of the structure 10 and permitting relatively convenient folding of the structure 10, it is to be understood that other methods of attachment can be used in this invention. Such other methods may include heat sealing, gluing and the like. Accordingly, construction of the collapsible structure should not be limited to stitching alone.
From the expanded state, the structure 10 may be folded into a collapsed state for storage and transportation. FIGS. 2 to 7 show various steps for collapsing the structure 10. Referring to FIG. 2, the first step requires positioning the structure with the top panel 30 on top, grasping the rigid border member 60 and rotating 180° in the direction of arrow A (see FIG. 3) while compressing the side panels 20 until the side panels 20 are spiraled against each other and the rigid border members 60 are adjacent and overlay each other. The structure 10 is now collapsed, but downward pressure is still required to prevent the structure 10 from springing back into an expanded state. FIG. 6 shows the final step of pivoting the latch members 70 on a rigid border member 60 in the direction of arrow B to catch a corresponding catch member 72 on an opposite rigid border member 60 to thereby hold the structure in the collapsed state for storage.
When the latch members 70 are uncoupled from the latch members 72, the frame members 22 will bias the structure 10 into its fully expanded state. Again, the fully expanded state of the embodiment is that shown in FIG. 1.
With attention now to FIG. 12, another embodiment of a collapsible structure 10A may be seen. Similar to the previously described device 10, the collapsible structure 100 in this view comprises a front panel 12, a rear panel 14, two side panels 20, a top panel 30 having an opening 32, and a floor panel 40. The front panel 12, rear panel 14, and two side panels 20 are connected to one another to form a substantially rectangular enclosure 10A. As may be viewed, the panels 12, 14, and 20 may be formed from an imperforate flexible foldable material, such as nylon cloth or nylon mesh, but can be fabricated from any suitably flexible material.
FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate collapsible structures 100, 200, respectively. Structure 100 is seen as having the alternative handle members 180 mentioned previously. As seen, the handle members 180 are rigid hand grips which extend from the rigid border member 60. The handle members 180 seen in FIG. 13 are shown as integrally formed as a one piece construction with the rigid border member 60, however it is to be understood that it is within the scope of the present invention to affix the handle members 180 to the rigid border 60.
FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate a collapsible structure 200 having alternative handle members 280, 280A. As seen, the handle members 280, 280A of collapsible structure 200 may be formed from a relatively rigid material and affixed to the rigid border member 60. The handle members 280, 280A of these views include a bail portion 84 for ease in carrying. The structure 200 depicted in FIG. 14 may be seen collapsed and in a portable state in FIG. 15.
With attention now to FIG. 16, another embodiment of a collapsible structure 300 may be seen. Similar to the previously described devices 10, 10A, 100, 200, the collapsible structure 300 in this view comprises a front panel 12, a rear panel 14, two side panels 20, a top panel 30 having an opening 32, and a floor panel 40 (not seen in this view).
As in the previous embodiments, each side panel 20 comprises a frame 22, a web 24, and an edging 26. The frame 22 is contained within the channel or pocket 25 formed by the edging 26 (best seen in FIG. 11). The perimeter of the web 24 is stitched to the edging 26 such that the edging 26 forms a pocket 25 about the periphery of the web 24. The edging 26 is a foldable, but stretch-resistant material capable of housing the frame 22 within its pocket 25. As may be further seen, at least one of the side panels 20 may further include a handhold opening 210. The handhold opening 210 may be used to transport, position, or otherwise move the structure 300 as may be required during use. As seen, the opening 210 is bounded by edging material 26 in a manner similar to that of the webs 24. As may be viewed, the perimeter of the opening 210 is stitched to the edging 26 for reinforcement and support. The edging 26 used in conjunction with the opening 210 is similar to the edging 26 used in other areas of the structure 10, 10A, 100, 200 and is a foldable but stretch-resistant material. The opening 210 may be located at any suitable position in a selected side panel 20, however the opening 210 is illustrated at a convenient, centered midpoint. Further, it is to be understood that, while not specifically shown, a handhold opening 210 may be used in conjunction with any of the collapsible structures previously discussed.
It is to be understood that while the structures 10A, 100, 200, 300 illustrated in the views of 12-16 depict the panels 12, 14, and 20 as formed from an imperforate flexible foldable material, it is within the scope of the present invention to utilize the handle members of these views with any of the previously mentioned materials, including perforate non-interrupted mesh material, or a combination of mesh material and non-mesh foldable without limitation.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.
Patent Application
20140353311
