The invention relates to a connection structure, in particular to a connector and a storage box containing the same.
In order to facilitate the storage and sorting of items, more and more places need to use storage boxes for storage. In order to facilitate the transportation and storage of the storage boxes, the storage boxes are generally arranged in an assemblable structure. At this time, it is generally required to insert the plate body to the connector, so as to assemble the storage box by means of the connector and the plate body.
However, when these storage boxes are stacked together, they are prone to slip with each other, which results in a plurality of storage boxes cannot be stably stacked together.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a connector is provided.
The connector comprises a connector body; the surface of the connector body extends along a first direction vector to form a first snap-fit portion; the surface of the connector body extends along a second direction vector to form a second snap-fit portion that can be nested with the first snap-fit portion. The first direction vector and the second direction vector are perpendicular to each other, and the distance between the second snap-fit portion and the first snap-fit portion increases or remains constant as the second snap-fit portion extends; the connector body is provided with at least one of a first plug-in unit and a second plug-in unit. The first plug-in unit comprises three first plug-in structures provided on the surface of the connector body. The three first plug-in structures are formed by extending along the third direction vector, the fourth direction vector and the fifth direction vector respectively. Any two of the third direction vector, the fourth direction vector and the fifth direction vector are perpendicular to each other, and any one of the third direction vector, the fourth direction vector and the fifth direction vector is different from the first direction vector or the second direction vector. At least one of the third direction vector, the fourth direction vector, and the fifth direction vector is perpendicular to the first direction vector. The second plug-in unit comprises three second plug-in structures provided on the surface of the connector body, and the three second plug-in structures are formed by extending along the third direction vector, the fourth direction vector and the fifth direction vector respectively.
When using the connector, in the first method of application, a plurality of plates can be plugged into the first plug-in structures of a plurality of connectors to assemble a storage box;
In the second method of application, a plurality of ribs can be plugged into the second plug-in structures of the plurality of connectors, and a plurality of plates can be inserted into the plurality of ribs to assemble a storage box;
In the third method of application, a plurality of ribs can be plugged into the second plug-in structure of a plurality of connectors, and a plurality of plates can be plugged into the first plug-in structures of a plurality of connectors and a plurality of ribs to assemble a storage box;
After the storage box being assembled, the first snap-fit portion and the second snap-fit portion on the connector body are located outside the storage box.
Therefore, when a plurality of storage boxes are stacked together, the first snap-fit portion on the connector of one of the storage boxes and the second snap-fit portion on the connector of the adjacent storage box are nested with each other to avoid the plurality of storage boxes stacked together from sliding with respect to each other, which ensures the plurality of storage boxes stably stacking together.
In some embodiments, the contours of the first snap-fit portion and the second snap-fit portion are configured such that when the first snap-fit portion and the second snap-fit portion are expanded relative to the first axis, the contour of the first snap-fit portion and the contour of the second snap-fit portion are symmetrical with respect to the first axis; the first axis is formed on the intersection line of the first plane perpendicular to the first direction vector and the second plane perpendicular to the second direction vector.
Therefore, when two adjacent storage boxes are stacked together in alignment on their sides, the first snap-fit portion and the second snap-fit portion on the corresponding connectors on the two storage boxes are nested together to ensure the storage boxes can be stacked together neatly, which further reduces the possibility of the storage boxes stacked together from slipping off.
In some embodiments, the first snap-fit portion and the second snap-fit portion are arranged such that when the first snap-fit portion of one of the connectors is nested in the second snap-fit portion of the other connector, the first direction vector of one of the connectors is parallel and opposite to the second direction vector of the other one of the connectors. Therefore, it can be ensured that the storage boxes can be neatly and stably stacked along the extension direction of at least one of the first direction vector and the second direction vector.
In some embodiments, the first snap-fit portion is a protrusion provided on the surface of the connector body, and the second snap-fit portion is a first groove provided on the surface of the connector body cooperating with the protrusion. Therefore the processing and manufacturing of the first snap-fit portion and the second snap-fit portion are facilitated.
In some embodiments, the protrusion comprises at least one first prism and at least one second prism not parallel to the at least one first prism provided on the surface of the connector body. Therefore, it can be ensured that when the connector moves along the extension direction of one side of the first prism or the second prism, two nested connectors will not slip.
In some embodiments, the first prism is provided at a non-end position of the second prism.
Therefore, it can be ensured that when the connector moves along the extending direction of one side of the first prism and the second prism, two nested connectors will not slip; moreover, when both ends of the first prism are provided with the second prisms, two nested connectors can only be disassembled by moving in the direction of the first direction vector or the second direction vector, but cannot move in other directions to ensure the stability of nesting of the connectors and to avoid the nested connectors from slipping relative to each other.
In some embodiments, the first prism is provided at the central position of the second prism, the first prism and the second prism are both configured as a long rectangular structure with equal width extending straightly. The first prisms are perpendicular to the second prisms. As a result, symmetrical protrusions are formed. After the connectors and the plates are assembled into storage boxes, a plurality of storage boxes can be stacked with end faces aligned or can be stacked staggered with each other, with the stacking direction not restricted.
In some embodiments, when the first plug-in unit and the second plug-in unit are provided at the same time, the second plug-in structure is configured to connect two adjacent first plug-in structures. As a result, the ribs inserted into the second plug-in structure can also be inserted into the plate bodies, so as to further ensure the stability of the assembly of the plate bodies.
In some embodiments, the protrusion is provided on the first surface perpendicular to the first direction vector of the connector body, the first groove is provided on the second surface perpendicular to the second direction vector of the connector body. The second surface is adjacent to the first surface. Thus, when the first snap-fit portion and the second snap-fit portion of two connectors are nested with each other and the second surface of one connector abuts against the first surface of the other one connector, the first surfaces and the second surface that abut against each other can support the nested connectors.
In some embodiments, the height of the protrusion is equal to the depth of the first groove.
In some embodiments, the surface of the connector body is provided with a first magnetic component, the outer surface of which is parallel to both the first direction vector and the second direction vector. Thus the flatness of the storage box formed is ensured after the plate body with the magnetic component is connected to the first magnetic component.
In some embodiments, the first magnetic component is provided on the third surface of the connector body, and the third surface is not provided with the first snap-fit portion, the second snap-fit portion, the first plug-in structure or the second plug-in structure.
When the connector and the plate are assembled into the storage box, a plate body with a magnetic component can be magnetically connected to the first magnetic component, so that the plate body with a magnetic component can be disassembled with the connector without removing the plate from the first plug-in structure of the connector to realize the picking and placing of the items in the storage box.
In some embodiments, the third surface is perpendicular to the first surface and the second surface. Thus, the flatness of the storage box formed after the plate body with the magnetic component is connected to the first magnetic component is ensured.
In some embodiments, the third surface is a surface adjacent to the first surface and the second surface. Thus, the flatness of the storage box formed after the plate body with the magnetic component is connected to the first magnetic component is ensured.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a storage box is provided.
The storage box comprises eight connectors and three sets of plates; each plate is provided with at least one plate body cooperated with the first plug-in structure; at least one set of the three sets of plates comprises two plates with the same shape; the four corners of each plate body are individually cooperated with one connector; the plate bodies of each two sets of plates are provided perpendicular to each other; two plate bodies in one set of plates are provided parallel to each other; the connectors are the aforementioned connectors.
In the first method of application, the plate body can be plugged into the first plug-in structure of the connector to assemble into a storage box;
In the second method of application, a plurality of ribs can be plugged into the second plug-in structure of the plurality of connectors, and a plurality of plate bodies can be plugged into the plurality of ribs to assemble a storage box;
In the third method of application, a plurality of ribs can be plugged into the second plug-in structure of a plurality of connectors, and a plurality of plate bodies can be plugged into the first plug-in structure of a plurality of connectors and a plurality of ribs to assemble a storage box;
After the storage box being assembled, the first snap-fit portion and the second snap-fit portion on the connector body are located outside the storage box.
Therefore, when a plurality of storage boxes are stacked together, the first snap-fit portion on the connector of one storage box and the second snap-fit portion on the connector of the adjacent storage box are nested with each other to avoid the plurality of storage boxes stacked together from sliding relative to each other, which ensures that the plurality of storage boxes can be stably stacked together.
In some embodiments, the storage box further comprises a rib body cooperated with the second plug-in structure and provided with a mounting groove cooperated with the plate body, both ends of which are connected with connectors. Therefore, the side edges of the plate bodies can be protected by the ribs, and the strength of the storage box can be improved.
In some embodiments, the ribs are provided with two installation grooves perpendicular to each other and are arranged such that when the ribs are fitted in the second plug-in structure, each installation groove is individually communicated with a first plug-in structure. Therefore, all side edges of the plate bodies can be protected by the ribs, and the strength of the storage box can be improved.
In some embodiments, the depth of the second plug-in structure is greater than the depth of the first plug-in structure. Therefore, the ribs can be supported by the connector.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a further storage box is provided.
The storage box comprises eight connectors and three sets of plates; each plate is provided with at least one plate body cooperated with the first plug-in structure; at least one set of plates comprises two plates with the same shape; where the four corners of two sets of plates are individually cooperated with a connector, and the four corners of at least one plate of the other set of plates are provided with a second magnetic component corresponding to the first magnetic component; the plate bodies of each two sets of plates are arranged perpendicular to each other; two plate bodies of one set of plates are arranged in parallel with each other; the connector is the aforementioned connector.
In the first method of application, the plate bodies can be plugged into the first plug-in structure of the connector to assemble into a storage box;
In the second method of application, a plurality of ribs can be plugged into the second plug-in structure of the plurality of connectors, and a plurality of plate bodies can be plugged into the plurality of ribs to assemble into a storage box;
In the third method of application, a plurality of ribs can be plugged into the second plug-in structure of a plurality of connectors, and a plurality of plate bodies can be plugged into the first plug-in structure of a plurality of connectors and a plurality of ribs to assemble into a storage box;
In the fourth method of application, the plate body without the second magnetic component can be plugged into at least one of the first plug-in structure and the second plug-in structure, and the plate body with the second magnetic component is magnetically connected to the first magnetic component of the connector by magnetism.
After the storage box being assembled, the first snap-fit portion and the second snap-fit portion on the connector body are located outside the storage box.
Therefore, when a plurality of storage boxes are stacked together, the first snap-fit portion on the connector of one storage box and the second snap-fit portion on the connector of the adjacent storage box are nested with each other to avoid the plurality of storage boxes stacked together from sliding relative to each other to ensure that the plurality of storage boxes are stacked together stably; The plate body with the magnetic component can be disassembled from the connector without removing the plate from the first plug-in structure of the connector, therefore realizing the picking and placing of the items in the storage box.
The present invention will be described in further detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Reference to
When using the connector, in the first method of application, a plurality of plate bodies 31 can be plugged into the first plug-in structures 231 of the plurality of connectors to assemble a storage box.
In the second method of application, a plurality of ribs 40 can be plugged into the second plug-in structures 241 of a plurality of connectors, and a plurality of plate bodies 31 can be plugged into the plurality of ribs 40 to assemble into a storage box.
In the third method of application, a plurality of ribs 40 can be plugged into the second plug-in structure 241 of a plurality of connectors, and a plurality of plate bodies 31 can be plugged into the first plug-in structures 231 of the plurality of connectors and a plurality of ribs 40 to assemble into a storage box.
After the storage box being assembled, the first snap-fit portion 21 and the second snap-fit portion 22 on the connector body 20 are located outside the storage box.
Therefore, when a plurality of storage boxes are stacked together, the first snap-fit portion 21 on the connector of one storage box and the second snap-fit portion 22 on the connector of a adjacent storage box are nested with each other, so as to avoid the plurality of storage boxes stacked together from sliding relative to each other, which ensures that the plurality of storage boxes are stably stacked together.
Referring to
Thus, when two adjacent storage boxes are stacked with their sides in alignment, the first snap-fit portion 21 and the second snap-fit portion 22 on the corresponding connectors of the two storage boxes are nested together, so as to ensure that the storage boxes can be stacked neatly and further reduce the possibility of the stacked storage boxes from sliding off.
In some embodiments, the first snap-fit portion 21 and the second snap-fit portion 22 are arranged such that when the first snap-fit portion 21 of one connector is nested in the second snap-fit portion 22 of the other connector, the first direction vector 211 of the first snap-fit portion 21 is parallel to the second direction vector 221 of the second snap-fit portion 22 nested with it outside, and the directions of the first direction vector 211 and the second direction vector 221 are opposite. Therefore, it can be ensured that the storage boxes can be stacked neatly and stably along the extension direction of at least one of the first direction vector 211 and the second direction vector 221.
Referring to
In some embodiments, the protrusion 212 comprises at least one first prism 2121 and at least one second prism 2122 integrally formed, processed, or connected to the surface of the connector body 20; the second prism 2122 is not parallel to the first prism 2121.
For example, when the end of a second prism is provided on one end of the first prism, protrusions of “V” shaped or “L” shaped can be formed according to the difference between the angle between the first prism and the second prism.
For another example, when the ends of two second prisms are provided on the two ends of the first prism respectively, or the ends of two first prisms are provided on the two ends of the second prism respectively, protrusions of “” shaped can be formed.
In some embodiments, the first prism is provided at a non-end position of the second prism. For example, when providing only one second prism, protrusion of “T”-shaped can be formed.
Therefore, two connectors nested with each other will not slip relative to each other when the connector is moved in the direction from the joint of the first prism and the second prism to the free end of the first prism or the second prism, as long as the first prism is not parallel to the second prism, whether the first prism is located at the end of the second prism or not.
In some embodiments, both ends of the first prism 2121 are provided with the second prism 2122, and the first prism 2121 is connected to the non-end portion of the second prism 2122. Therefore, the two connectors will not move relative to each other while the connectors are moved in the direction except the first direction vector 211 and the second direction vector 221 when the first snap-fit portion 21 and the second snap-fit portion 22 of the two connectors are nested with each other, so as to ensure the stability of the nesting of the connectors and avoid relative slippage of the connectors nested with each other.
Referring to
As a result, symmetrical protrusion 212 is formed. After the connectors and the plates are assembled into storage boxes, a plurality of storage boxes can be stacked with their end faces aligned or staggered with each other, without the stacking direction being limited.
Referring to
In other embodiments, the first snap-fit portion further can comprise both protrusion and groove, and configured such that a groove is provided at the corresponding position of the second snap-fit portion with the distance from which to the protrusion of the first snap-fit portion being equal to the distance from which to the first axis; a protrusion is provided at the corresponding position of the second snap-fit portion with the distance from which the protrusion of the and the first axis being equal to the distance between the groove of the first snap-fit portion and the first axis, so that the protrusion and the groove of the first snap-fit portion can cooperated with the protrusion and the groove of the second snap-fit portion.
Referring to
Continuing referring to
In some embodiments, referring to
As a result, the ribs 40 plugged into the second plug-in structure 241 can also be plugged into by the plate bodies 31, so as to further ensure the stability of the assembly of the plate bodies 31.
Referring to
Referring to
As shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Continuing referring to
When the connector and the plate 30 are assembled into a storage box, the plate body 31 with a magnetic component can be magnetically connected to the first magnetic component 261, so that the plate body 31 with the magnetic component can be disassembled from the connector without removing the plate 30 from the first plug-in structure 231 of the connector, so as to realize the picking and placing of the items in the storage box.
Referring to
In some embodiments, the first magnetic component 261 is a magnet.
Referring to
Referring to
Continue referring to
As shown in
Referring to
Referring to
In some embodiments, the plate body 31 may be made of a transparent material, for example, PVC, ABS, organic glass, etc., to reduce the weight of the storage box.
In other embodiments, the plate body 31 can be plugged into the mounting groove 41 and the first plug-in structure 231 at the same time to further ensure the stability of the plugging of the plate body 31.
In still other embodiments, the storage box comprises eight connectors and three sets of plates; each set of plates is provided with at least one plate body cooperated with the first plug-in structure; at least one set of plates of the three sets of plates comprises two plates with the same shape, and each set of plates comprises at most two plates. When each set of plates comprises two plates, the two plates in one same set have the same shape; Four corners of each plate body are individually cooperated with a connector; the plate bodies in each two sets of plates are arranged perpendicular to each other; two plate bodies in one set of plates are arranged parallel to each other; the connector is the aforementioned connector.
When using, the plate body can be plugged into the first plug-in structure of the connector to assemble into a storage box; after the storage box being assembled, the first snap-fit portion and the second snap-fit portion on the connector body are located outside the storage box.
Continue referring to
Referring to
Regardless of implementing the storage box of the first embodiment or the second embodiment, when a plurality of storage boxes are stacked together, the first snap-fit portion 21 on the connector of one storage box is nested with the second snap-fit portion 22 on the connector of the adjacent storage box to avoid storage boxes stacked together from sliding relative to each other, thereby ensuring that the plurality of storage boxes can be stacked together stably (referring to
Referring to
In some embodiments, the second magnetic component 311 is a magnet.
Referring to
In other embodiments, the storage box comprises eight connectors and three sets of plates; each set of plates is provided with at least one plate body cooperated with the first plug-in structure; at least one set of the three sets of plates comprises two plates with the same shape; four corners of the plate of two sets of plates are individually cooperated with one connector, and four corners of at least one plate body of the other plate are provided with a second magnetic component corresponding to the first magnetic component; the plate bodies of each two sets of plates are arranged perpendicular to each other; two plate bodies in one set of plates are arranged parallel to each other; the connector is the aforementioned connector.
The method of application can be similar to the method of application of the storage box of the first to the third embodiments, moreover the plate body 31 without the second magnetic component 311 can further be plugged into at least one of the first plug structure 231 and the second plug structure 241, and the plate body 31 provided with the second magnetic component 311 magnetically connects to the first magnetic component 261 of the connector.
After the storage box being assembled, the first snap-fit portion 21 and the second snap-fit portion 22 on the connector body 20 are located outside the storage box.
Therefore, when a plurality of storage boxes are stacking together, the first snap-fit portion 21 on the connector of one storage box and the second snap-fit portion 22 on the connector of the adjacent storage box are nested with each other, so as to avoid the plurality of storage boxes stacked together from sliding mutually, ensuring that the plurality of storage boxes can be stacked together stably; further, the plate 30 with the magnetic component can be disassembled from the connector without removing the plate 30 from the first plug-in structure 231 of the connector, to realize the picking and placing of the items in the storage box; the storage boxes stacked mutually can further be attracted to each other by means of the first magnetic component 261 provided on the third surface 26 or the second magnetic components 311 provided on the plate 30, so as to avoid relative slippage of the storage boxes stacked mutually when being collided (referring to
In some embodiments, the connectors and the ribs 40 may be made of plastic materials to reduce the weight of the storage box.
In other embodiments, the connectors and the ribs 40 may be made of high-strength materials, for example, such as metals, etc.
For example, high-strength and light-weighted metal materials such as aluminum alloy are used to make the ribs 40 and the connectors. Thus, even if the plate 30 is made of a non-high-strength material, the high strength of the frame of the storage box can still be maintained, thereby reducing the cost of the material.
In the present invention, the installation can be implemented by a detachable installation method in the prior art, such as threaded connection; or a non-detachable installation method in the prior art, such as welding. The present invention does not limit the specific implementation of the fixed installation.
What has been described above are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skilled in the art, several modifications and improvements can be made, and these all fall within the protection scope of the present invention, without departing from the inventive concept of the present invention.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
201921623444.5 | Sep 2019 | CN | national |
201922335144.3 | Dec 2019 | CN | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/CN2020/109714 | 8/18/2020 | WO | 00 |