Patent Application
20220111999
The invention relates to a storage device with at least one storage container which comprises a container housing which on an upper side which is orientated in a height direction comprises an upper handle and on a front side which is orientated at right angles to the height direction comprises a front handle which is pivotably mounted about a pivot axis, wherein the front handle in the course of a pivoting movement can be selectively pivoted into a position of non-use which is pivoted onto the container housing at the front or into a position of use which is pivoted away from the container housing and projects to the front.
A storage device of this type which is known from DE 10 2011 006 871 A1 comprises a storage container which is designed as a hand-tool box and in whose container housing a light device is integrated. The container housing is provided with two carrier grips which can be used as handles, of which the one is arranged on the upper side and the other on a narrow front side.
DE 20 2012 102 760 U1 likewise discloses a container-like transport device which for the user-friendly handling is provided with two carrier grips for the horizontal and for the perpendicular carrying position.
DE 197 06 413 A1 discloses a suitcase-like receptacle which on an upper side comprises a bow-like carrier grip and on whose front side a further carrier grip can additionally be attached in a releasable manner by way of latching connection devices.
A storage device which is known from EP 2 485 874 B1 comprises a storage container whose container housing consists of a box-like housing lower part and of a housing lid which is pivotably mounted thereon in the region of the rear side. The housing lid can be pivoted into a closure position, in which it lies on the housing lower part and closes an access opening for an internal storage space of the container housing. A pivotable upper handle is attached at the outside on the upper side of the housing lid. Furthermore, coupling devices are formed in the region of the upper side and the lower side of the container housing, said coupling devices permitting the stacking of several storage containers on one another and permitting them to be releasably coupled to one another in a manner in which they cannot be lifted from one another.
It is the object of the invention to provide measures in order to improve the handling comfort for a storage container of a storage device which is provided with two handles.
For achieving this object, according to the invention, in combination with the aforementioned features, one envisages the storage container comprising a front arresting device which is assigned to the front handle and is designed for the non-pivotable releasable arresting of the front handle in its position of non-use.
In this manner, the front handle which is attached to a storage container of the storage device at the front can be releasably arrested in its position of non-use which is pivoted onto the container housing. By way of this, the front handle is prevented from an uncontrolled pivoting relative to the container housing when the storage container is transported without the use of the front handle and in particular is transported whilst using the upper handle which is arranged on the upper side. Herewith, one can prevent the front handle from pivoting to and fro in an uncontrolled manner and hitting the container housing at the outside when the storage container is carried whilst using the upper handle. By way of this measure, one can also rule out the front handle inadvertently pivoting out of the position of non-use and possibly, due to manufacturing tolerances and entailed by friction, getting stuck in a position which is pivoted away from the container housing, which given the transport of the storage container could result in the front handle hitting a furniture edge or another object, so that this object and/or the front handle could become damaged. The fixation ability of the position of non-use of the pivotable front handle therefore contributes significantly to an improved handling comfort of the storage container.
Advantageous further developments of the invention result from the dependent claims.
The arresting device which is arranged on the front side of the container housing and is therefore denoted as the front arresting device in particular is designed such that it automatically gets into an active operating state which arrests the front handle on the container housing in a non-pivotable manner, when the front handle is deliberately pivoted out of the position of use into the position of non-use. Herein, a separate actuation of the arresting device is not required.
Expediently, the release of the front handle is also effected automatically as soon as the front handle is pivoted out of the position of non-use in the direction of the position of use by way of manually applying a force. Here too, it is not necessary for the arresting device to be brought separately into the inactive operating state which no longer acts in an arresting manner, by way of a special deactivation handle.
In both aforementioned cases, the arresting and the release of the arresting is effected quasi automatically when the user of the storage device grips the front handle and pivots it by way of a suitable force effort in the direction of the position of non-use or in the position of use.
It is particularly in the aforementioned context that it is advantageous if the front arresting device is designed as a latching device which with a snap effect automatically latches in or automatically latches out depending on the pivoting direction of the front handle. Such a latching device can be inexpensively realised and can expediently be integrated into the container housing and the front handle in a direct manner on manufacture of these container components.
It is considered to be particularly expedient if the front arresting device comprises one or more arresting units which for a better differentiation are each denoted as a front arresting unit. The arresting device can comprise for example only a single such front arresting unit, but expediently comprises two such front arresting devices which are arranged at a distance to one another in the axis direction of the pivot axis of the front handle. Preferably, an individual front arresting unit is assigned to each end section of the front handle which points in the axis direction of the pivot axis. In this manner, the front handle is held in its position of non-use in a particularly reliable manner
Each front arresting unit has a first arresting element which is arranged on the container housing and a second arresting element which interacts with this first arresting element and is arranged the front handle. The second arresting element participates in the pivoting movement of the front handle. In the position of non-use of the front handle, the first and the second arresting element overlap in the axis direction of the pivot axis and hence transversely to the direction of the pivoting movement. The front handle is positively prevented from pivoting about the pivot axis due to this rear engagement of the two arresting elements. If the front handle is situated in the position of use, then the aforementioned mutual engagement of the first and the second arresting elements is lifted and the front handle can be pivoted in an unhindered manner.
The first arresting element which is arranged on the container housing is preferably an arresting projection which projects in the axis direction of the pivot axis and which is preferably designed as one piece with the housing wall of the container housing The second arresting element which cooperates with this arresting projection is preferably designed as an arresting deepening which is provided on the front handle and into which the arresting projection engages, in particular in a positive manner, in the active operating state of the arresting device. An exchanged arrangement of the arresting projection and the arresting deepening is also possible.
The front handle can be designed at least partly as a hollow body for reasons of weight saving. In particular, this relates to a constituent of the front handle, around which a hand can grip for carrying the storage container. Preferably, the cavity which is present in any case can be used as an arresting deepening of the arresting unit. If it is a front handle which is designed as a bow grip, the constituent which faces the cavity in particular is formed by a connection web which extends between two grip limbs.
In particular, the arresting device is designed such that it blocks the front handle exclusively in the position of non-use. In all pivoting positions of the front handle which lie outside the position of non-use and which also include the position of use, the front handle is expediently freely pivotable and the arresting device is inactive. Consequently, the front handle can be pivoted in an unhindered manner with a large pivoting angle which for example is only a little less than 90 degrees, despite the existing arresting possibility. This results in the front handle for handling the storage container being able to be used in a practically unrestricted manner and in the same manner as a front handle which has no front arresting device.
Basically, there is the possibility of providing additional measures which also releasably fix the front handle in the position of use. The front handle on letting go in the position of use then remains still and can be gripped in a particularly simple manner given a subsequent use.
The front handle is pivotably mounted on the container housing preferably by way of at least one pivot bearing device which defines the pivot axis. Only one such pivot bearing device or several, in particular precisely two such pivot bearing devices can be assigned to the front handle. Several pivot bearing devices are expediently arranged distanced to one another in the axis direction of the pivot axis.
It is seen as being particularly advantageous if the front arresting device is arranged distanced to the at least one pivot bearing device in a direction which is at right angles to the pivot axis of the front handle. By way of this, a somewhat higher force effort is necessary for arresting and releasing, wherein this counteracts unintended actuations of the arresting device. It is just as well possible to arrange the front arresting device in the direct proximity of the pivot axis. This has the advantage that in combination with a latching device, a relatively large lever arm is provided for unlatching and latching.
The pivotable front handle is expediently designed in a bow-like manner with an at least essentially U-shaped fashion, so that it can be denoted as a bow grip. It has two grip limbs which correspond to the two U-limbs and which are connected to one another by way of a connection web for forming the U-structure. Each grip limb in the region of its free end section which is opposite to the connection web is mounted on the container housing in a pivotable manner via a pivot bearing device.
In combination with such a bow grip, it is advantageous if the front arresting device is arranged in the region of the connection web if one considers the storage container in the position of non-use of the front handle. The first and the second arresting elements of each optionally present front arresting unit of the arresting device are here arranged distanced to the pivot axis of the front handle in the region of the connection web. The cavity of a hollow connection web, as already mentioned above, can also be used as an arresting deepening. Basically, the components of the arresting device which are formed on the front handle can also be designed for example on one of the grip limbs.
Each of the two pivot bearing devices which are assigned to a front handle which is designed as a bow grip expediently comprises two first and second bearing elements which are inserted into one another in the axis direction of the pivot axis and which are rotatable relative to one another. One of these bearing elements is located on the container housing, the other on the free end section of one of the two grip limbs of the front handle. The first bearing element which is formed on the container housing is preferably conceived as a bearing eye, into which the second bearing element which is preferably designed as a bearing pin is inserted from the side which is faces the respective other pivot bearing device.
In order to ensure that the front handle which is designed as a bow grip does not inadvertently slip out of the container housing and the storage container does not fall down even when carrying a heavy storage container, expediently a securing device which assumes an active state at least in the position of use of the front handle is assigned to the free end section of each grip limb. The securing device in its active state supports the grip limb which is assigned to it, in the axis direction of the pivot axis with respect to the container housing, in a manner such that the grip limb cannot move in the direction of the other grip limb. By way of this, the bearing elements of the pivot bearing devices which are inserted into one another cannot execute an axial relative movement, by way of which they are pulled apart and separated from one another, when the grip limbs of the handle are subjected to external forces which act in the sense of a mutual approach. Such external forces could arise for example if a heavily loaded storage container is lifted at the connection web of its handle and the handle elastically sags in the region of the connection web. On account of the support by way of the securing devices, one prevents the grip limbs from approaching one another due to the elastic deformation of the front handle when the storage container is lifted at the connection web of its front handle.
The pivot bearing devices are preferably designed such that each second bearing element which is arranged on a grip limb, in the stick-on direction is stuck together with the first bearing element which is arranged on the container housing and which points away from the respective other grip limb in the axis direction of the pivot axis. Expediently, the second bearing elements are designed as one piece with the grip limbs and the first bearing elements are expediently designed as one piece with the container housing.
The front handle is assembled on the container housing expediently by way of a latching procedure which is entailed by elastic bending of the front handle, concerning which the two grip limbs briefly approach one another. In order for such a latching assembly to be possible irrespective of the position of use which is secured by the securing devices, the front handle can be expediently positioned in at least one pivoting position which differs from the position of use and in which the securing devices are inactive and the grip limbs are released in a manner such that these are movable in a manner directed to one another. By way of this, a relative movement between the two grip limbs in the axis direction of the pivot axis is possible, such being necessary for the assembly procedure combined with a latching procedure.
Preferably, the front handle in the at least one pivoting position which is combined with an inactive state of the securing devices can also be disassembled from the container housing again when required. The grip limbs, for example assisted by an applied lever tool, then merely need to be elastically bent to the side to such an extent that the bearing elements disengage from one another.
Preferably, in each pivoting position, in which the securing devices are inactive, the front handle can be attached to the container housing by way of latching given the first assembly of the storage container or in a case of repair. If it is the case of a releasable latching connection, which is advantageous, the front handle in the state pivoted into each of these pivoting positions can also be removed again from the container housing by way of a de-latching procedure when required.
Expediently, each securing device is designed such that its inactive state is present at least in the region of the position of non-use of the front handle, wherein it is preferably exclusively present in the region of the non-use position of the front handle. The latter provides an optimal safety from inadvertently releasing the latching connection, irrespective of the pivoting position outside of the position of non-use, into which the front handle is momentarily pivoted.
The container housing expediently comprises a housing wall, in which a front wall deepening is formed on the front side at the outside, in which deepening the front handle is pivotably mounted. If the front handle is pivoted into the position of non-use, it expediently lies completely sunk in this front wall depending, from which it however projects in the position of use. By way of this, the front handle is well shielded against external effects when not in use.
Basically, the upper handle can be immovably attached to the container housing. Preferably however, the upper handle is also pivotably mounted on the container housing and in the course of a pivoting movement can be selectively pivoted into a position of non-use which is pivoted onto the container housing at the top or into a position of use which is pivoted away from the container housing and which projects upwards.
An arresting device which suitable for the releasable arresting of the position of non-use and which for a better differentiation from the front arresting device is denoted as an upper arresting device can also be expediently assigned to the upper handle. The upper arresting device is expediently designed as a latching device.
It is advantageous if the upper arresting device is designed in the same manner as the front arresting device and hence operates according to the same principle. This permits a particularly inexpensive manufacture of the storage container.
An upper handle which is arrested in the position of non-use is prevented from being pivoted away from the container housing when the container housing is carried with a horizontally aligned height axis by way of using the front handle. Inasmuch as this is concerned, here the same advantages arise as have been explained further above in the context of the arrestable front handle in the context of a use of the upper handle as a carrier grip.
The upper handle in the position of non-use is expediently received in a completely sunk manner in an upper wall deepening which is formed at the outside in the upper side of the housing wall. This on the one hand has the advantage that the upper handle does not project beyond the outer contour of the container housing on use of the front handle as a carrier grip. On the other hand, this entails the advantage that the storage container can be stacked with further other storage containers in the height direction in a securely standing manner
The container housing preferably has an at least essentially rectangular outline. This favours a space-saving mounting of the receiving container, in particular also in cases in which the storage device comprises several storage containers.
Preferably, the container housing is composed of a box-like housing lower part and housing lid. The housing lower part on an upper side which faces upwards in the height direction comprises an access opening for an internal storage space, to which the housing lid is assigned. The housing lid is pivotably mounted on the housing lower part in a manner such that it is selectively pivotable into a closure position which covers the access opening and into at least one open position which releases the access opening. Objects can be brought into the storage space and also be removed again, through the released access opening. The housing lower part expediently comprises a base wall and a peripheral wall which projects upwards from the edge of the base wall in the height direction of the container housing, wherein both walls belong to the housing wall of the container housing. The upper end section of the peripheral wall frames the access opening.
The upper handle is arranged on the housing lid at the top on the outside, whereas the front handle is attached at the outside to the front wall of the housing part which is a constituent of the peripheral wall of the housing lower part, said peripheral wall projecting upwards from the base wall of the housing lower part.
Preferably, the container housing is designed such that the housing lid is releasably lockable to the housing lower part in the closure position. Corresponding locking means are expediently located at the outside on the front side of the container housing, in particular above the front handle in the height direction. The locking means comprise for example a rotary bar.
In an advantageous design, the storage device comprises a shelf structure, in which the at least one storage container can be received in a manner in which it can pulled out whilst not in non-use. In this context, it is advantageous if the storage container on the outer side of the container housing comprises a guide device which fits together with a counter guide device which is arranged on the shelf structure and which likewise belongs to the storage device. Preferably, the guide device as well as the counter guide device are structured in a rail-like manner and engage into one another in a linearly displaceable manner, which favours an easy pulling-out or insertion of the storage container out of and into the shelf structure respectively.
The storage device can comprise only a single storage container. However, it is advantageous if it comprises several storage containers which are preferably stackable onto one another in the height direction of each storage container. By way of this, they can be mounted in a space-saving manner,
It is advantageous if each of the several stackable storage containers comprises a lower coupling device on its container housing in the region of the lower side and an upper coupling device in the region of the upper side, wherein these two coupling devices are adapted to one another in a manner such that storage containers which are directly stacked onto one another in a height direction can be releasably coupled to one another in a manner in which they cannot be lifted from one another, by way of the interaction of the upper coupling device of the respective lower storage container and of the lower coupling device of the respective upper storage container.
If the storage containers comprise a housing lower part and a housing lid which is pivotable with respect to this, wherein these two components are releasably lockable to one another in a closure position of the housing lid by way of locking means, it is advantageous if the locking means fulfil a multi-function and are also designed as constituents of at least one of the coupling devices.
The invention is hereinafter explained in more detail by way of the accompanying drawings. In these are shown in:
The storage device which is provided as a whole with the reference numeral 1 comprises one or more storage containers 2 whose basic construction in one advantageous design is evident from
The storage container 2 has a container housing 15 with preferably an at least essentially rectangular outline which is well evident from
The container housing 15 has a height axis 16 which extends between a lower side 4 and an upper side 5 and whose axis direction defines a height direction which is provided with the same reference numerals. Furthermore, it has a longitudinal axis 17 which is at right angles to the height axis 16 and which runs between a front side 6 and a rear side 7, and furthermore has a transverse axis 18 which is at right angles to the height axis 16 as well as to the longitudinal axis 17. The axis direction of the longitudinal axis 17 defines a longitudinal direction which is provided with the same reference numeral, whereas the axis direction of the transverse axis 18 defines a transverse direction of the container housing 15 which is provided with the same reference numeral. By way of example, the dimensions in the height direction 16 define a height, the dimensions in the longitudinal direction 17 a depth and the dimensions in the transverse direction 18 a width of the container housing 15.
The aforementioned rectangular outline runs in a plane which is at right angles to the height axis 16.
The container housing 15 has a housing wall 22 which delimits a storage space 23 which is formed in the housing interior and which is evident for example from the
Expediently, the container housing 15 has a housing lower part 24 and a housing lid 25 which is mounted on the housing lower part 24 in a pivotably movable manner Only the housing lid is visible in the
Concerning the preferably box-like housing lower part 24, the housing wall 22 consists of a base wall 26 which terminates the storage space 23 at the lower side 4 and of a peripheral wall 27 which projects upwards from the outer edge of this base wall 26 in the height direction 16. The peripheral wall 27 encompasses the storage space 23 around the height axis 16, wherein at its upper side which is opposite the base wall 26 it comprises an upper end section 21 which frames an access opening 28 for the storage space 23. Objects can be inserted into the storage space 23 and be removed from the storage space 23 through the access opening 28.
The peripheral wall 27 which is of one piece with the base wall 26 is composed of a front wall 32 which is orientated at right angles to the height axis 16, of a rear wall 33 which lies opposite the front wall 32 in the longitudinal direction 17 and of two side walls 34. The side walls 34 lie opposite one another in the transverse direction 18 and connect the front wall 32 to the rear wall 33. The front wall 32 and the rear wall 33 each extend essentially in a plane which is at right angles to the longitudinal axis 17. The side walls 34 each extend essentially in a plane which is at right angles to the transverse axis 18.
The complete peripheral wall 27 and the base wall 26 are designed as one piece with one another.
The housing lid 25 is assigned to the access opening 28 and is pivotably mounted relative to the housing lower part 24 about a pivot axis 35 which runs in the transverse direction 18, preferably in the region of the rear wall 33. Preferably, the pivot bearing means 12 which define the pivot axis 35 are arranged at the rear corner regions of the peripheral wall 27 which connect a side wall 34 to the rear wall 33, in particular at only a small height distance to the access opening 28.
In the course of a pivoting movement 36 which is indicated in
The closure position of the housing lid 25 is expediently releasably lockable. For this, by way of example, suitable locking means 38 which can be manually actuated are to be found in the region of the front side 6 on the container housing 15 at the outside. Preferably, the locking means 38 comprise a rotary bar 42 which is rotatably mounted about a rotation axis 44 which is parallel to the longitudinal axis 17, in the region of the front side 6 on the housing lid 25, and a locking projection 43 which is arranged at the outside on the front wall 32 of the housing lower part 24. In the state of the housing lid 25, in which it is located in the closure position, the rotary bar 42 can be rotated such that it is selectively in or out of locking engagement with the assigned locking projection 43.
The storage container 2 which is illustrated by way of example comprises only a single storage space 23 which is closed by the housing lid 25 in a manner which is to be opened. Concerning an embodiment example which is not illustrated, additionally yet at least one drawer which when required can be pulled out and which provides an additional storage space is yet additionally arranged in the housing lower part 24. Concerning an embodiment example which is likewise not shown, the container housing 15 on the upper side 5 has no cover, but a cover wall which is designed as one piece with the peripheral wall 27, wherein the storage container 2 as a whole is designed as a drawer container which comprises one or more drawers which when required can be pulled out of the container housing or pushed into it and whose drawer spaces together define the storage space 23.
A handle 52 which for an improved differentiation is denoted as a front handle 52 is arranged on the container housing 15, at least at the outside on the front side 6. If the container housing 15 is composed of a housing lower part 24 and of a housing lid 25 in accordance with the embodiment example, then the front handle 52 is preferably attached at the outside to the front wall 32 of the housing lower part 24. This is the case with regard to the illustrated embodiment example. By way of using the front handle 52, the storage container 2 can be carried and transported in an alignment, in which the height axis 16 is aligned horizontally and which is hereinafter denoted as a vertical alignment.
The storage container 2 at the outside on its upper side 5 which is oriented in the height direction 16 preferably comprises a further handle 45 which for an improved differentiation is denoted as an upper handle 45. If the container housing 15 according to the embodiment example comprises a housing lid 25, then the upper handle 45 is attached at the outside to an upper lid wall 79 of the housing lid 25 which in the closure position extends at right angles to the height axis 16. By way of using the upper handle 45, the storage container 2 can be carried and transported in a horizontal alignment, in which the height axis 16 runs vertically.
At least the front handle 52, preferably however also the upper handle 45 are pivotably mounted on the container housing 15, so that by way of pivoting relative to the container housing 15 they can be selectively positioned in a position of non-use which is pivoted onto the container housing 15 or in a position of use which projects away from the container housing 15.
The pivot axis 51 of the front handle 52 is hereinafter denoted as a front pivot axis 51, wherein the associated pivoting movement 53 is rendered evident by a double arrow.
The pivot axis 49 of the upper handle 45 is hereinafter denoted as the upper pivot axis 49 wherein the associated pivoting movement 41 is likewise indicated by a double arrow.
Both pivot axes 51, 49 run parallel to the transverse axis 18.
The positions of non-use of the two handles 52, 45 which are pivoted onto the container housing 15 are shown at 52a and 45a, the positions of use at 52b and 45b. The front handle 52 in its position of use 52b projects to the front away from the container housing 15, wherein the upper handle 45 in its position of use 45b projects away upwards from the container housing 15.
Preferably, the front handle 52 is designed as a bow grip which is designed at least essentially in a U-shaped manner. This also applies to the upper handle 45. Both handles 52, 45 are realised as bow grips in the illustrated embodiment example.
The front handle 52 which is designed as a bow grip has two grip limbs 55 which correspond to the U-limbs and which are distanced to one another in a grip longitudinal direction 45 and are parallel to one another and which at their one face-side end region are connected to one another by way of a connection web 56. The grip longitudinal direction 54 runs in an axis direction of a longitudinal axis of the front handle 52, said longitudinal axis being provided with the same reference numeral.
The upper handle 45 in a corresponding manner likewise has two grip limbs 57 which are distanced to one another in the longitudinal direction 18 and which are connected to one another at one end by way of a connection web 58.
The preferably rod-like connection webs 56, 58 of the two handles 52, 54 expediently run parallel to one another. The upper handle 45 preferably has a greater length than the front handle 52. Both handles 52, 45 are arranged and designed mirror-symmetrically with respect to a middle plane which is spanned by the height axis 16 and the longitudinal axis 17 and which passes through the container housing 15 at the centre of the width.
The upper handle 45 is pivotably mounted on the housing lid 25 in the region of the free end sections 63 of its grip limbs 57 which are opposite to its connection web 58. In the position of non-use 45a, a grip plane of the upper handle 45 which is spanned by the connection web 58 and the two grip limbs 57 runs at right angles to the height axis 16.
Preferably, the upper lid wall 79 of the housing lid 25 which belongs to the housing wall 22, at the outside comprises an upper wall deepening 64, in which the upper handle 45 is rotatably mounted and in which the upper handle 45 is received in a preferably completely sunk manner on assuming its position of non-use 45a. The upper wall deepening 64 is expediently likewise designed in a U-shaped manner. In the position of use 45b, the upper handle 45 projects upwards out of the upper wall deepening 64, wherein the connection web 58 is distanced sufficiently far to the upper lid terminating surface 48 in order to permit the gripping around by way of a hand for carrying the storage container 2.
Alternatively to the pivotable upper handle 45, the storage container 2 can however also comprise an upper handle 45 which is fixedly attached to the container housing 15 in a non-pivotable manner.
The front handle 52 in the region of the free end sections 62 of its grip limb 55 which are opposite to its connection web 56 are pivotably mounted on the front wall 32 at the outside for executing the pivoting movement 53. For definition of the assigned front pivot axis 51, a suitable pivot bearing device 65 is assigned to each free end section 62 of the two grip limbs 55.
The front wall 32 at its outer side which is away from the storage space 32 is expediently provided with a front wall deepening 66, in which the two pivot bearing devices 65 are arranged. The front wall deepening 66 has such a depth that the front handle 52 is completely sunk therein given the assumption of its position of non-use 52a. In the position of use 52b, the front handle 52 projects significantly far out of the front wall deepening 66, in order to be able to grip around the connection web 56 with one hand for carrying the storage container 2.
A handle plane which is spanned by the two grip limbs 55 and the connection web 56 of the front handle 52, in the position of non-use runs at right angles to a longitudinal axis 17 and in the position of use at right angles to the height axis 16.
The front wall recess 66 at its two sides which are distanced to one another in the transverse direction 18 are delimited by two lateral edge surfaces 67 which face one another and are distanced to one another in the transverse direction 18. Each pivot bearing device 65 is preferably placed in the region of one of these two lateral edge surfaces 67.
The front handle 52 is expediently pivoted downwards in the position of non-use 45a, which is to say its U-opening points upwards in the height direction 15.
Concerning the upper handle 45, the position of non-use 45a expediently manifests itself in the fact that the U-opening of the bow-shaped upper handle 45 faces the rear side 7 in the longitudinal direction 17.
Expediently, an arresting device of the storage container 2 which is denoted as a front arresting device 68 for an improved differentiation is assigned to the front handle 52 and is designed for the non-pivotable releasable arresting of the front handle 52 in its position of non-use 52a.
It is advantageous if an arresting device which is suitable for the releasable arresting of the position of non-use 45a of the upper handle 45 is assigned to this, said arresting device being denoted as an upper arresting device 69 for an improved differentiation. The storage container 2 of the illustrated embodiment example comprises the front arresting device 68 as well as the upper arresting device 69.
Each arresting device 68, 69 prevents the handle 52, 45 which is situated in the position of non-use 52a, 45a from carrying out uncontrolled pivoting movements relative to the container housing 15 when the storage container 2 is transported whilst using the respective other handle 45 or 52 which is momentarily in the position of use 45b, 52b.
The front arresting device 68 is expediently designed as a latching device 70 which depending on the pivoting direction of the pivoting movement 53 automatically latches in or latches out with a snap effect when a corresponding actuation force is introduced into the front handle 52. The intensity of the latching is adequately large, in order to prevent an automatic latching-in or latching-out given the designated handling of the storage container 2. However, it is sufficiently small, in order to be able to create a latching or a lifting of the latching solely by way of action by hand without an extraordinary force application.
The upper arresting device 69 is preferably likewise designed as a latching device 71 whose functional characteristics correspond to the aforementioned ones which are explained by way of the latching device 70.
Basically, it is possible for the front and/or the upper arresting device 68, 69 to be designed in a manner in which they are to be actuated separately, so that a mere manual force introduction into the assigned handle 52, 45 does not alone cause a change of the operating state. For example, at least one spring-loaded bar can be present. The outlined design with an automatic blocking and de-blocking alone on account of a suitable force introduction into the assigned handle 52, 45 however permits a particularly comfortable handling given simultaneously low manufacturing costs.
The operating state which is assumed by the arresting device 68, 69 given a non-pivotably arrested position of non-use 45a, 52a is hereinafter also denoted as an active operating state. That operating state of the arresting device 68, 69 which no longer arrests the position of non-use is hereinafter also denoted as an inactive operating state.
The pivoting angle of the front handle 52 and/or of the upper handle 45 between the position of non-use 52a, 45a and the position of use 52a, 45b is expediently at least essentially 90 degrees. Each handle 52, 45 can be pivoted within this pivoting range, in particular in an infinite manner, into arbitrary intermediate positions which are all neither arrested nor arrestable. In
The arresting device 68, 69 can be locally limited to a single region of the respective handle 52, 45. However, it is seen as more advantageous if the front arresting device 68 and/or the upper arresting device 69 consists of several, in particular of precisely two arresting devices 68, 68b; 69a, 69b which are locally arranged distanced to one another. By way of example, the two arresting units 68a, 68b and 69a, 69b of each arresting device 68, 69 are distanced to one another in the axis direction of the assigned pivot axis 51, 49.
The two arresting units 68a, 68b of the front arresting device 68 which are hereinafter also denoted as front arresting units 68a, 68b for simplification are each arranged in the region of one of the two grip limbs 55. They are preferably each located in the region of one of the two lateral edge surfaces 67 of the front wall deepening 66.
The front arresting units 68a, 68b are arranged distanced to the pivot bearing devices 65 transversely to the pivot axis 51. In particular, they are located at a distance to the pivot axis 51, which corresponds to the distance of the connection web 56 to the pivot axis 51. Considered in the position of non-use 52a of the front handle 52, both front arresting units 68a, 68b expediently lie in the region of the connection web 56.
The arresting units 69a, 69b of the upper arresting device 69 which are hereinafter also denoted as upper arresting units 69a, 69b are arranged with respect to the upper handle 45 in a comparable manner as the front arresting units 68a, 68b are arranged with respect to the front handle 52. In each case, one of the upper arresting units 69a, 69b is located in the region of one of the grip limbs 57, in particular in its region which is away from the respective other grip limb 57. They are each located in the region of one of two lateral edge surfaces 72 of the upper wall deepening 66 which face one another and which are arranged distanced to one another in the transverse direction 18 and with the embodiment example each lie in the proximity of one of the two side walls 34. In the position of non-use 45a, one of the grip limbs 57 of the upper handle 45 extends next to each of these two lateral edge surfaces 72. The upper arresting units 69a, 69b are preferably each arranged in the region of the connection web 58 of the upper handle 45.
Preferably, each front arresting unit 68a, 68b comprises an arresting projection 73 which by way of example is designed in a pimple-like manner and is arranged on the housing wall 22 of the container housing 15 and in particular is designed as one piece with the housing wall 22. It represents a first arresting element 73a of the front arresting unit 68a, 68b. Each arresting projection 73 is preferably formed on one of the two lateral edge surfaces 67 of the front wall deepening 66, so that it projects from the side into the front wall deepening 66.
Expediently, each upper arresting unit 69a, 69b also comprises a correspondingly designed arresting projection 75, wherein these arresting projections 75 are expediently each formed on one of the two lateral edge surfaces 72 of the upper wall deepening 66.
Each arresting projection 73 of the front arresting units 68a, 68b in the position of non-use 52a engages into an arresting deepening 74 of the respective front arresting unit 68a, 68b which is formed in the front handle 52. This arresting deepening 74 represents a second arresting element 74a of the respective front arresting unit 68a, 68b.
In an advantageous manner, the two arresting deepenings 74 with regard to the embodiment example are formed by the end regions of a cavity 81 which passes through the connection web 56 in its longitudinal direction, said end regions being assigned to the two grip limbs 55. In the position of non-use 52, each arresting projection 73 immerses from a face side into the cavity 81 and engages behind a wall section 82 of the connection web 56 which peripherally encompasses this cavity 81. This is well evident in
In a comparable manner, each upper arresting unit 69a, 69b also expediently comprises an arresting deepening 76 which is formed on the upper handle 45 and by one of the two opposite end regions of a cavity 83, said cavity longitudinally passing through the connection web 58 of the upper handle 45. In the position of non-use 45a, the two arresting projections 75 engage into the cavity 83 from opposite sides and overlap a wall section 84 of the connection web 58 which peripherally encompasses the cavity 81. Given the pivoting moment 41 of the upper handle 45, the mentioned wall section 84 can be moved past the assigned arresting projection 75 with a snap effect.
It is to be understood that the assignment of the arresting projections 73, 75 and of the arresting deepenings 74, 76 with respect to the container housing 15 and the respective handle 52, 45 can also be exchanged.
Each arresting deepening 74, 76 is designed complementarily to the shape of the arresting projection 73, 75 in the case of an embodiment example which is not illustrated, and has the shape for example of a small trough, into which the pimple-like arresting projection 73, 75 can snap.
It is to be understood that the first and the second arresting element 73a, 74a of the front handle 52 can also be designed in a manner other than in the form of an arresting deepening and an arresting projection. The same also applies to the constituents of the upper arresting unit 69a, 69b.
As a whole, it is advantageous if the upper arresting device 69 is designed in the same manner as the front arresting device 68, this being is realised with the illustrated embodiment example.
A particularly advantageous design of the fastening measures for the front handle 52, said measures permitting a pivoting movement 53, are explained hereinafter.
As already mentioned, the pivotable fixation of the front handle 52 to the front wall 32 is effected by way of two pivot bearing devices 65 which are each assigned to one of the free end sections 62 of the grip limbs 55.
Each of these pivot bearing devices 65 has a first bearing element 85 which is arranged on the container housing 15 and a second bearing element 86 which is arranged on the grip limb 55. These two bearing elements 85, 86 are stuck into one another in the axis direction of the pivot axis 51 and are rotatable relative to one another.
Preferably, the pivot bearing devices 65 are designed such that each second bearing element 86 which is arranged on a grip limb 55 is stuck together in a stick-on direction with the first bearing element 85 which is arranged on the container housing 15 and which in the axis direction of the pivot axis 51 points away from the respective other grip limb 55.
Expediently, the second bearing elements 86 are designed as one piece with the grip limbs and the first bearing elements 85 are expediently designed as one piece with the container housing 15.
By way of example, the first bearing element 85 is designed as a bearing eye 85a which comprises an insert opening 87 which faces the adjacent grip limb 57. The bearing eye 85a in particular is realised as a wall deepening or a wall recess of the front wall 32. With the embodiment example, it is formed in each one of the two lateral edge surfaces 67 of the front wall deepening 66. The two insert openings 87 face one another and are aligned coaxially to one another.
The second bearing element 86 which is arranged on the front handle 52, with regard to the embodiment example is designed as a bearing pin 86a which immerses through the insert opening 86 into the assigned bearing eye 85a. The two bearing pins 86a are also aligned coaxially to one another, wherein they point in directions which are opposite to one another, thus away from one another. In particular, they are located on the outer sides of the two grip limbs 55 which are away from one another. Hence each bearing pin 86a immerses from the front wall deepening 66 into the assigned bearing eye 85a.
The pivot bearing devices 65 are consequently preferably arranged in the region of the outer sides of the two grip limbs 55 of the front handle 52, said outer sides being away from one another in the axis direction of the pivot axis 51.
As is particularly well evident from
It is to be understood that the arrangement of the bearing eyes 85a and bearing pins 86a with respect to the container housing 15 and the front handle 52 can also be exchanged.
By way of a non-round cross-sectional contour of the bearing pins 86a, it is very simple to realise the front handle 52 being able to be non-pivotably fixed in the position of use 52 in a simply releasable manner by way of a positive contact with the housing wall 22. By way of example, the bearing pin 86a at a location of its peripheral periphery comprises a flattening 88 which in the position of use 52b bears and is supported on a plane wall surface of the housing wall 22. Since the individual constituents consist of a plastic material, they are mutually compliant when a torque is exerted onto the front handle 52. Inasmuch as this is concerned, the position of use 52b which is fixed by way of the bearing pins 86a can be very easily lifted again.
The front handle 52 expediently consists of a plastic material. This preferably also applies to the upper handle 45 and to the complete container housing 15.
If the storage container 2 is carried in the vertical alignment by way of the front handle 52, then the front handle 52 has the tendency to bend in the sense of a mutual approach of the two grip limbs 55. These bending forces are indicated at 90 by arrows in
Concerning the illustrated storage container 2, securing measures are undertaken to rule out this potential danger despite the lightweight construction manner of the front handle 52. Hence the front handle 52 can be manufactured in a cost-saving manner, wherein in particular there exists the possibility, which is implemented in the embodiment example, of designing the connection web 56 in a tubular manner as a hollow body.
The securing measures lie in a securing device 91 which is arranged on the storage container 2 being assigned to the free end section 62 of each grip limb 55. Each securing device 91 is designed such that at least in the position of use of the front handle 51 it assumes an active state, in which it can support or supports the assigned grip limb 55 in the axis direction of the pivot axis 51 with respect to the container housing 15, in order, given the occurrence of bending forces 90, to prevent a mutual approach of the two grip limbs 55 and thus a release of the bearing elements 85, 86 which are stuck into one another, from one another.
In an exemplarily realised embodiment, each securing device 91 comprises a first support projection 92 which is fixedly arranged on the container housing 15 in the region of the pivot axis 51 and which projects away from the front wall 32 to the front side 6 transversely and in particular at right angles to the pivot axis 51. Each securing device 91 further comprises a second support projection 93 which is arranged at the free end region 62 of the assigned grip limb 55 and which in the axis direction of the pivot axis 91 is arranged offset to the first support projection 92 and specifically offset in the direction of the outer side of the assigned grip limb 55 which is away from the respective other grip limb 55. The clear distance of the first support projections 92 which are arranged on the container housing 15, measured in the transverse direction 18 is therefore smaller than the clear distance between two second support projections 93 which are formed on the front handle 52, measured in the grip longitudinal direction 54.
Each second support projection 93 participates in the pivoting movement 53 of the front handle 52 and is designed such that it overlaps the adjacent first support projection 92 which is arranged on the front wall 32 of the container housing 15, at right angles to the pivot axis 51, at least during the active state of the securing device 91. By way of this overlapping, the second support projection 93 can support itself with an inner support surface 94 which is formed on its end-face which faces the U-opening of the bow-like front handle 52, on an oppositely orientated outer support surface 95 of the first support projection 92 which faces it.
The securing devices 91 can thus be designed such that the active state is present in every pivoting position of the front handle 52.
It is above all in the context of a particularly favourable assembly possibility for the front handle 52 that it is however advantageous if the securing devices 91 develop their effect in a selective manner, specifically in a manner depending on the pivoting angle of the front handle 52 which is assumed with respect to the container housing 15. Hence with regard to the embodiment example, each securing device 91 in at least one other pivoting position which differs from the position of use 52 of the front handle 52 has an inactive state, in which it releases the assigned grip limb 55 for a relative movement which is directed to one another, between the two grip limbs 55 in the axis direction of the pivot axis 51. Hence the two grip limbs 55 in the inactive state of the securing devices 91 can be approached to one another in the direction of the arrows 90 in
By way of example, this selective effect of the securing devices 91 is achieved by a special design of the second support projections 93 which are arranged on the grip limbs 55. These support projections have only a limited circumferential extension around the pivot axis 51, wherein their circumferential extension is about 90 degrees with the embodiment example. The support projections 93 therefore only assume a position which overlaps with the first support projections 92 in the active state of the securing devices 91 (
It is advantageous if the inactive state of the securing device 91 is exclusively present when the front handle 52 is positioned in the region of the position of non-use 52a, or in a restricted pivoting range of the handle of maximal 10 degrees starting from the position of non-use 52a, wherein the position of non-use 52a is included. Such a design is present with the embodiment example.
The design with a selective action of the securing device 91 provides the opportunity which is utilised in the illustrated embodiment example, of assembling the front handle 52 on the container housing 15 and preferably of also disassembling it again, by way of a latching procedure whilst simultaneously ensuring the securing function on carrying the storage container 2 by way of the front handle 52.
The front handle 52 is shown in the disassembled state in
In this alignment, the front handle 52 is pressed with an assembly movement which is indicated by arrows 97, in the longitudinal direction 17 against the front wall 32 of the container housing 15, so that the second bearing elements 86 latch into the first bearing elements 85 in the course of a latching procedure.
Concerning the embodiment example, this latching procedure is rendered possible by way of each bearing pin 86a at the face side having an oblique sliding surface 99, with which given the assembly movement 97 it can slide on a peripheral edging structure 100 of the container housing 15 which encompasses the bearing eye 85a. By way of this sliding, the two grip limbs 55 are briefly moved to one another according to the arrows 96 amid elastic deformation, in order, after passing the peripheral edging structure 100, to move away from one another again according to the arrows 96 and to herein snap into the bearing eyes 85a.
When required, the front handle 52 can be very easily disassembled again by way of engaging with a lever tool into the gap between a grip limb 55 and the lateral edge surface 67, and the assigned grip limb 55 being elastically bent in the direction of the U-opening.
Expediently, the second support projection 93 delimits a first groove 101 which is formed at the face side on the free end section 62 of the grip limb 55 and is open transversely to the pivot axis 51. The first support projection 92 which is formed on the container housing 15 immerses into this first groove 101.
Additionally or alternatively, the first support projection 92 which is formed on the container housing 15 delimits a second groove 102 which is likewise open transversely to the pivot axis 91 and into which the second support projection 93 immerses. The immersing of the support projections 92, 93 into the grooves 102, 101 is effected selectively to the same extent as the mutual supporting effect of the two support projections 92, 93. An even better supporting and/or guidance of the grip limbs 55 results due to the grooves 101, 102.
An advantageous design of the storage device 1 comprises a shelf structure 103 which is merely indicted in a schematic dot-dashed manner in
In this context, the storage container 2 at the outer side of the housing lower part 24 comprises a guide device 104, via which it can be brought in a linearly displaceable manner into engagement in a releasable manner by way of a counter guide device 105 of the storage device 1 which is arranged on the shelf structure 103. By way of example, the guide device 104 comprises a guide rail 104a, 104b on the outer side of each side wall 34 in the region of the lower side 4. The counter guide device 105 has two counter guide rails 105a, 105b which are arranged distanced to one another on the shelf structure 103 in a manner such that the storage container 2 can be brought into engagement with them from the face side by way of its guide rails 104a, 104b. The guide rails 104a, 104b and the counter guide rails 105a, 105b are matched to one another such that the storage container 2 can be inserted into the shelf structure 103 and can be pulled out of the shelf structure 103 in its longitudinal direction 17. The front handle 52 can be used for this handling.
The guide device 104 is expediently integrated as one piece into the housing lower part 24 which consists of plastic material.
Preferably, several storage containers 2 are stackable onto one another in the height direction 16, so that a container stack 98 results from two or more storage containers 2 which are stacked upon one another, as is shown by way of example in
Expediently, each storage container 2 in the region of its lower side 4 has a lower coupling device 106 which is designed for example in a manner which is evident from
The locking means 38 which are explained further above preferably belong at least partly to the two coupling devices 106, 107. By way of example, the rotary bar 22 can be rotated into a coupling position which is shown in
Further constituents of the coupling devices 106, 107 with regard to the illustrated embodiment example are formed by projections which are formed on the lower side 4 and deepenings which are formed on the upper side 5. In the state of two storage containers 2 stacked onto one another, the projections and deepenings at least partly engage into one another, wherein they overlap or engage behind one another transversely to the height direction 16 and likewise effect a coupling of two storage containers 2 which are stacked onto one another, in a manner such that they cannot be lifted from one another, in particular in the region of the rear side 7. The projections are expediently stand feet which serve for placing the storage container 2 on a base.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2018/074913 | 9/14/2018 | WO | 00 |
