The present invention relates generally to portable storage containers and more particularly to portable storage containers that provide the ability to select different nesting and stacking depths.
Portable storage containers that both stack and nest with similar containers are commonly used for transporting and storing goods. Nesting is typically achieved when an empty container receives a like container therein such that there is at least some overlap between the walls of the containers. The stacking feature is typically used when an occupied container has a like container supported thereon, such that the goods contained in the lower container are preferably not contacted or damaged by the upper container. Many containers use members (known as bail members) to achieve the stacking feature. Bail members may typically be positioned out of the way for purposes of nesting, but then moved to a stacking position for allowing containers to be stacked thereon.
The bail members in some containers are movable among three positions: a nesting position, a first stacking position and a second stacking position. In the nesting position, the bail members are out of the way and the upper container can substantially nest within the lower container. The bail members support containers in the first stacking position at a first distance from the floor, where the upper container is not substantially nested within the lower container. The bail members also can be moved to the second stacking position to support the upper container at a second distance from the floor, where the upper container is partially nested within the lower container.
A portable storage container that both stacks and nests with similar containers includes a plurality of walls extending upwardly from a floor. At least one bail member is moveable between a plurality of positions for supporting the similar containers at varying heights. The bail member includes a support portion pivotably connected to the container by arms at each end. The bail member includes at least one projection from the arm of the bail member. The projection contacts a support surface of one of the walls while the bail member pivots about the projection when moving from one position to another.
Other advantages of the present invention can be understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
A container 10 is shown in
Two bail members 18 are each mounted to each end wall 16. While they may take a variety of shapes, bail members 18 are shown as molded plastic having a generally cylindrical support portion 19 that extends across the length of the container 10. Each bail member 18 includes a pair of arms 21 extending transversely from the support portion 19. As shown in
The end walls 16 each include an upper wall portion that has an outer wall portion 20 spaced from an inner wall portion 23. A lower wall portion 24 is generally aligned below the inner wall portion 23, such that the outer wall portion 20 forms a support or ledge 25 along the end wall 16. The side walls 14 similarly include ledges 26 protruding outwardly from the side walls 14 at a height even with the ledges 25 on the end walls 16.
The inner wall portion 23 includes an upper support rest 36 at a height above the floor 12 for supporting the bail member 18 at an upper stacking position. Each upper support rest 36 includes an upwardly open concave recess 37, which is a notch formed in the inner wall portion 23. The inner wall portion 23 further includes a middle support rest 40 for supporting the bail member 18 at a mid-level height, and a lower support rest 42, which is closer to the floor than the upper support rest 36, for supporting the bail member 18 at a lower stacking position.
Elongated pin openings 30 are formed in each outer wall portion 20 to trap pins 32 at the outer ends of the bail members 18. The pins 32 are slidable and pivotable within the pin openings 30, such that the bail members 18 can be moved to a plurality of positions and orientations. The pin openings each include a first portion that extends arcuately from an outer end inwardly and downwardly, and a second portion extending from the first portion downwardly to an inner end. The pins 32 are at the inner ends of the pin openings 30 in
In
Referring to
Alternatively, as shown in
While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. There are different designs of containers that would benefit from the present invention.
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