TREA

Foldable storage container

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Information

  • Patent Application
  • 20090057307
  • Publication Number
    20090057307
  • Date Filed
    August 30, 2007
    17 years ago
  • Date Published
    March 05, 2009
    15 years ago
Information
Abstract
A foldable storage container can be used as a suitcase or to hold and transport sports balls and has a rear panel, two side panels, a base, a front panel and a cover. The rear panel has a top, a bottom and two side edges. The side panels are respectively formed perpendicularly on the side edges of the rear panel and are foldable. The base is mounted pivotally on the rear panel. The front panel is mounted slidably between the side panels and has a top. The cover is mounted pivotally and detachably on the top of the rear panel and is selectively locked on the top of the front panel. Therefore, the foldable storage container can be folded to occupy a smaller space for convenient storage.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention


The present invention relates to a storage container, especially to a foldable storage container.


2. Description of the Prior Arts


A conventional storage container can be used as a suitcase to pack things into when traveling or moving or for carrying sports equipment, such as tennis balls. The conventional storage container has a fixed inner space to put things or sports balls into. Therefore, the storage container has a total volume larger than the fixed inner space. When the storage container is not in use, the storage container occupies a large space and is inconveniently stored.


To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides a foldable container to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the present invention is to provide a foldable storage container. The foldable storage container can be used as a suitcase or to hold and transport sports balls and has a rear panel, two side panels, a base, a front panel and a cover. The rear panel has a top, a bottom and two side edges. The side panels are respectively pivotally formed perpendicularly on the side edges of the rear panel. The base is mounted pivotally on the rear panel. The front panel is mounted slidably between the side panels and has a top. The cover is mounted pivotally and detachably on the top of the rear panel and is selectively locked on the top of the front panel. Therefore, the foldable storage container can be folded to occupy a smaller space for convenient storage.


Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS


FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a foldable storage container in accordance with the present invention used as a luggage trolley;



FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the foldable storage container in FIG. 1 without a cover;



FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the foldable storage container in FIG. 2 without a front panel;



FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a lock recess and a guiding pin for the foldable storage container shown in FIG. 1;



FIG. 5 is an enlarged operational front view in partial section of a lock assembly of the foldable storage container shown in FIG. 1;



FIG. 6 is a top view of the foldable storage container in FIG. 2;



FIG. 7 is a side view in partial section of the foldable storage container in FIG. 2;



FIG. 8 is an operational side view in partial section of the foldable storage container in FIG. 2 showing a base pivoting;



FIG. 9 is an operational top view of the foldable storage container in FIG. 8 showing the base pivoted up;



FIG. 10 is an operational side view in partial section of the foldable storage container in FIG. 9 showing a front panel sliding;



FIG. 11 is an operational top view of the foldable storage container in FIG. 10 when the side panels are being folded;



FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the foldable storage container in FIG. 1 with multiple additional bags;



FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of another embodiment of a foldable storage container in accordance with the present invention used as a tennis ball case;



FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of the foldable storage container in FIG. 13;



FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of a foldable storage container in accordance with the present invention with an additional lid; and



FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the foldable storage container in FIG. 15.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 12 and 13, a foldable storage container in accordance with the present invention can be used as a suitcase or to carry sports balls and may comprise a rear panel (10), two side panels (20, 20′), a base (30, 30′), a front panel (40), a cover (50, 50′), two handles (60), a telescopic frame (70), two wheels (80) and at least one additional bag (90).


The rear panel (10) has a top, a bottom and two edges.


With further reference to FIGS. 5 and 11, the side panels (20, 20′) are respectively formed perpendicularly on the sides of the rear panel (10) and are foldable. Each side panel (20, 20′) has a top, a bottom, an inner surface, a stationary leaf (21), a pivoting leaf (22), multiple guide channels (211) and may have multiple through holes (23′).


The stationary leaf (21) is formed perpendicularly on the corresponding side of the rear panel (10) and has a rear edge, a stationary edge and an inner surface. The rear edge of the stationary leaf (21) is formed on the corresponding side of the rear panel (10).


The pivoting leaf (22) is mounted pivotally on the stationary edge of the stationary leaf (21) and has a pivoting edge, a front edge, a top and a lock hole (221). The pivoting edge of the pivoting leaf (22) is mounted pivotally on the stationary edge of the stationary leaf (21). The lock hole (221) is formed through the front edge of the pivoting leaf (22) near the top.


The guide channels (211) are respectively formed separately through each side panel (20, 20′) near the top and the bottom. Each guide channel (211) has a front end, a rear end, an opening and a lip (212). The front end of the guide channel (211) is near the front edge of the pivoting leaf (22). The rear end of the guide channel (211) is near the rear of the stationary leaf (21). The opening is formed through the inner surface of the side panel (20, 20′). The lip (212) is formed around the opening of the guide channel (211).


The through holes (23′) are formed separately through each side panel (20′).


With further reference to FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 14, the base (30, 30′) is mounted pivotally on the rear panel (10), has a pivoting edge, a front edge, a bottom surface, multiple elongated rollers (31, 31′) and may have multiple transverse slots (32′). The pivoting edge of the base (30, 30′) is mounted pivotally on the bottom of the rear panel (10). The elongated rollers (31, 31′) are mounted rotatably on the bottom surface of the base (30, 30′) and are parallel to each other. The transverse slots (32′) are formed separately through the base (30′). Each transverse slot (32′) is formed between two corresponding elongated rollers (31′) to hold sports balls.


With further reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, the base (30′) may have an additional lid (300′) to cover the transverse slots (32′). The lid (300′) is mounted pivotally on and is held selectively on the rear panel (10) and has a keyhole (301′) and a key protrusion (302′). The keyhole (301′) is formed through the additional lid (300′). The key protrusion (302′) is formed on the rear panel (10) and selectively engages the keyhole (301′).


With further reference to FIGS. 4 and 10, the front panel (40) is mounted slidably between the side panels (20) and has a top, a front surface, two side edges, multiple guiding pins (41), multiple lock recesses (42) and multiple lock assemblies (43).


Each guiding pin (41) protrudes from the side edge of the front panel (40) and is slidably mounted in the corresponding guide channel (211) in the corresponding side panel (20) and has a neck and a head (411). The neck of the guiding pin (41) is mounted securely on the corresponding side edge of the front panel (40). The head (411) is larger than the neck, is formed on and protrudes from the neck of the guiding pin (41), is mounted in the guide channel (211) and is held in the guide channel (211) by the lip (212) of the corresponding guide channel (211).


The lock recesses (42) are formed respectively in the side edges of the front panel (40) and in the front surface of the front panel (40). Each lock recess (42) has a catch and two protrusions (421). The catch is formed through the corresponding front surface and the side edge of the front panel (40) and has a top and a bottom. The protrusions (421) are formed respectively on the top and the bottom of the catch.


Each lock assembly (43) is mounted movably in the lock hole (221) of the corresponding pivoting leaf (22), selectively engages the corresponding lock recess (42) and comprises a lock rod (431) and a spring (432). The lock rod (431) is mounted movably in the lock hole (221) of the corresponding pivot leaf (22), selectively engages the corresponding lock recess (42) and has an outer end, an inner end, an inner head (433) and an annular flange (434). The outer end of the lock rod (431) extends out of the lock hole (221) of the corresponding pivot leaf (22). The inner head (433) is formed on and protrudes from the inner end of the lock rod (431) and selectively abuts between the catch and the protrusions (421) of the corresponding lock recess (42) to engage the lock rod (431) in the corresponding lock recess (42). The annular flange (434) is formed around the lock rod (431), selectively abuts the corresponding side panel (20, 20′), is larger than the lock hole (221) of the corresponding pivot leaf (22) and prevents the lock rod (431) from leaving the lock hole (221) of the corresponding pivot leaf (22). The spring (432) is mounted around the lock rod (431) and is mounted between the annular flange (434) and the corresponding side edge of the front panel (40) and forces the annular flange (434) away from the corresponding pivot leaf (22).


With further reference to FIG. 9, the cover (50, 50′) is mounted pivotally and detachably on the top of the rear panel (10), is selectively locked on the top of the front panel (40) and may have multiple transverse slots (51′). The transverse slots (51′) are formed separately through the cover (50′) and are parallel to each other.


The handles (60) are mounted respectively on the front and rear panels (40, 10) and extend respectively out of the top of the front and rear panels (40, 10).


The telescopic frame (70) is mounted on the rear panel (10).


The wheels (80) are respectively mounted rotatably on the sides of the rear panel (10).


The at least one additional bag (90) is mounted detachably on the front and side panels (40, 20) to provide increased capacity.


The person folds the foldable storage container as described for storage. The cover (50) is detached from the rear panel (10) to be stored separately. The base (30) is pivoted up to be parallel to the rear panel (10). The lock rods (431) are pressed deeper into the lock holes (221) to disengage the inner heads (433) from the lock recesses (42). Then the front panel (40) can slide from the front ends of the guide channels (222) to the rear ends of the guide channels (211) of the side panels (20, 20′). The pivot leaves (21) are folded in to be parallel to the rear panel (20). Therefore, the foldable storage container as described is folded smaller to be stored conveniently.


Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and features of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in the details, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims
  • 1. A foldable storage container comprising: a rear panel having a top, a bottom and two edges;two side panels respectively mounted perpendicularly on the sides of the rear panel and being foldable;a base mounted pivotally on the rear panel and having a pivoting edge mounted pivotally on the bottom of the rear panel;a front edge; anda bottom surface;a front panel mounted slidably between the side panels and having a top, a front surface and two side edges; anda cover mounted pivotally and detachably on the top of the rear panel and selectively locked on the top of the front panel.
  • 2. The foldable storage container as claimed in claim 1, wherein each side panel comprises a top;a bottom;an inner surface;a stationary leaf being formed perpendicularly on a corresponding side of the rear panel and having a rear edge formed on the corresponding side of the rear panel;a stationary edge; andan inner surface; anda pivoting leaf mounted pivotally on the stationary edge of the stationary leaf and having a pivoting edge mounted pivotally on the stationary edge of the stationary leaf;a front edge; anda top.
  • 3. The foldable storage container as claimed in claim 2, wherein each side panel further comprises multiple guide channels formed separately through the side panel near the top and the bottom and each guide channel has a front end;a rear end; andan opening formed through the inner surface of the stationary leaf; andthe front panel has multiple guiding pins, and each guiding pin protrudes from the side edge of the front panel, is mounted slidably in one of the guide channels in a corresponding side panel and has a neck.
  • 4. The foldable storage container as claimed in claim 3, wherein each guide channel has a lip formed around the opening of the guide channel; andeach guiding pin further a head being larger than, formed on and protruding from the neck of the guiding pin and being mounted in a corresponding guide channel and being held by the lip in the corresponding guide channel.
  • 5. The foldable storage container as claimed in claim 2, wherein each pivoting leaf has a lock hole formed through the front edge of the pivoting leaf near the top; andthe front panel has multiple lock recesses formed respectively in the side edges of the front panel and in the front surface of the front panel, and each lock recess having a catch being formed through the front surface and a corresponding one of the side edges of the front panel and having a top and a bottom; andtwo protrusions formed respectively on the top and the bottom of the catch; andmultiple lock assemblies, and each lock assembly being mounted movably in the lock hole of a corresponding pivot leaf, selectively engaging a corresponding lock recess and comprising a lock rod mounted movably in the lock hole of the corresponding pivot leaf, selectively engaging the corresponding lock recess and having an outer end extending out of the lock hole of the corresponding pivot leaf;an inner end;an inner head formed on and protruding from the inner end of the lock rod and selectively abutting between the catch and the protrusions of the corresponding lock recess; andan annular flange formed around the lock rod, selectively abutting a corresponding side panel and being larger than the lock hole of the corresponding pivot leaf; anda spring mounted around the lock rod and mounted between the annular flange and the corresponding side edge of the front panel.
  • 6. The foldable storage container as claimed in claim 4, wherein each pivoting leaf has a lock hole formed through the front edge of the pivoting leaf near the top; andthe front panel has multiple lock recesses formed respectively in the side edges of the front panel and in the front surface of the front panel, and each lock recess having a catch being formed through the front surface and a corresponding one of the side edges of the front panel and having a top and a bottom; andtwo protrusions formed respectively on the top and the bottom of the catch; andmultiple lock assemblies, and each lock assembly being mounted movably in the lock hole of a corresponding pivot leaf, selectively engaging a corresponding lock recess and comprising a lock rod mounted movably in the lock hole of the corresponding pivot leaf, selectively engaging the corresponding lock recess and having an outer end extending out of the lock hole of the corresponding pivot leaf;an inner end;an inner head formed on and protruding from the inner end of the lock rod and selectively abutting between the catch and the protrusions of the corresponding lock recess; andan annular flange formed around the lock rod, selectively abutting a corresponding side panel and being larger than the lock hole of the corresponding pivot leaf; anda spring mounted around the lock rod and mounted between the annular flange and the corresponding side edge of the front panel.
  • 7. The foldable storage container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base has multiple elongated rollers mounted rotatably on the bottom surface of the base and being parallel to each other.
  • 8. The foldable storage container as claimed in claim 6, wherein the base has multiple elongated rollers mounted rotatably on the bottom surface of the base and being parallel to each other.
  • 9. The foldable storage container as claimed in claim 7, wherein each side panel has multiple through holes formed separately through the side panel;the base has multiple transverse slots formed separately through the base, and each longitudinal slot formed between two corresponding elongated rollers; andthe cover having multiple transverse slots formed separately through the cover and being parallel to each other.
  • 10. The foldable storage container as claimed in claim 8, wherein each side panel has multiple through holes formed separately through the side panel;the base has multiple transverse slots formed separately through the base, and each transverse slot formed between two corresponding elongated rollers; andthe cover having multiple transverse slots formed separately through the cover and being parallel to each other.
  • 11. The foldable storage container as claimed in claim 1 further comprising two handles mounted respectively on the front and rear panels and extending respectively out of the top of the front and rear panels.
  • 12. The foldable storage container as claimed in claim 8 further comprising two handles mounted respectively on the front and rear panels and extending respectively out of the top of the front and rear panels.
  • 13. The foldable storage container as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a telescopic frame mounted on the rear panel.
  • 14. The foldable storage container as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a telescopic frame mounted on the rear panel.
  • 15. The foldable storage container as claimed in claim 1, further comprising two wheels respectively mounted rotatably on the sides of the rear panel.
  • 16. The foldable storage container as claimed in claim 14, further comprising two wheels respectively mounted rotatably on the sides of the rear panel.
  • 17. The foldable storage container as claimed in claim 1 further comprising at least one additional bag mounted detachably on the front and side panels.
  • 18. The foldable storage container as claimed in claim 10 further comprising two handles mounted respectively in the front and rear panels and extending respectively out of the top of the front and rear panels;a telescopic frame mounted on the rear panel; andtwo wheels respectively mounted rotatably on the sides of the rear panel.
  • 19. The foldable storage container as claimed in claim 18 further comprising at least one additional bag mounted detachably on the front and side panels.
  • 20. The foldable storage container as claimed in claim 9 further comprising an additional lid mounted pivotally on the rear panel to cover the base and having a keyhole formed through the additional lid; anda key protrusion formed on the rear panel and selectively engaging the keyhole.