Patent Application
20090218240
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
This invention relates to a storage case for carrying writing implements. More specifically, the invention relates to an expandable storage case that carries writing implements.
Storage cases for writing implements are know in the art and come in many forms. A typical crayon case is made of cardboard and includes a flip-top and multiple storage containers. The storage containers are used to collect and display the crayons. However, the construction of the container from cardboard material provides a container that is not durable. Another type of case is a plastic hinged case, similar to a lunch box wherein writing implements may be placed.
Accordingly, the present invention provides an improved storage case for writing implements that may house various sizes in multiple compartments based on user preference.
The storage case includes a base, an inner carousel, a top carousel, and a lid. The base, the inner carousel, and the top carousel are connected in a telescoping manner such that the storage case may be expanded when in use. The base contains a floor, an outer wall, and an inner wall. The inner wall is cylindrical, located radially inwardly and spaced apart from the outer wall, and interconnected therewith by a plurality of partitions. The partitions along with the walls combine to create a plurality of separated storage spaces that receive the writing utensils. The inner wall contains an inner surface with a plurality of elongate guides.
The inner carousel comprises a floor with a plurality of notches and a wall. The notches are aligned with and receive the elongate guides on the inner surface of the inner wall. The inner wall further contains a plurality of projections that extend outwardly towards the inner surface of the inner wall of the base to create a plurality of separated storage spaces therebetween. The inner surface of the wall also contains a plurality of elongate guides that depend inwardly from the inner surface and extend upwardly from the floor.
The top carousel comprises a floor with a plurality of notches and a divider. The notches in the floor are aligned with and receive the elongate guides on the inner surface of the wall. As such, the guides and the notches serve to allow the inner carousel to slide in a telescoping manner with respect to the base and the top carousel to slide in a telescoping manner with respect to the inner carousel. The lid is rotatably coupled to the divider of the top carousel.
Further, the case also contains a lock-stop assembly having a divider and a locking mechanism. The dividers are located on the inner surface of the inner wall of the base and the inner surface of the wall of the inner carousel and each project inwardly therefrom. The locking mechanisms are located on the floors of the inner and top carousels. The locking mechanisms are used to lock the inner carousel with respect to the base and the top carousel with respect to the inner carousel when the storage case is expanded.
As such, in use, the user rotates the lid upwardly and then pulls in a vertical direction. The guides of the notches cooperate to move the inner and top carousels upwardly with respect to the base and inner carousel respectively. The locking mechanisms lock the inner carousel with respect to the base and the top carousel with respect to the inner carousel when the storage case is expanded.
Additional advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in a description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention.
In the accompanying drawings which form a part of the specification and which are to be read in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views:
Referring to the drawings in greater detail and initially to
Referring now to
The inner wall 24 is cylindrical, located radially inward and spaced apart from the outer wall 22 creating a channel 36 therebetween. The inner wall 24 extends upwardly from the floor 20 at generally a 90° angle and is oriented generally parallel to the outer wall 22. The inner wall 24 is connected to the outer wall 22 by a plurality of partitions 34 that extend therebetween. The channel 36 when combined with the partitions 34 create separated storage spaces that receive the writing utensils 12. The inner wall 24 further contains an inner surface 40 having a plurality of elongate guides 42. The guides 42 are protrusions that depend inwardly from the inner surface 40 of the inner wall 24 and extend upwardly from the base 14.
Referring now to
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3-5, the top carousel 18 contains a floor 64 and a divider 66. The floor 64 is generally circular and contains a plurality of notches 68 at its perimeter 70. The notches 68 in the floor 64 are operably configured to be aligned with and receive the elongate guides 62 of wall 46. As such, the guides 62 and the notches 68 allow the top carousel 18 to slide in a telescoping manner with respect to the inner carousel 16. The divider 66 extends upwardly from the floor 64 and has a pair of side walls 72, a pair of end walls 74, and a top wall 76. The top wall 76 connects the side and end walls 72, 74 and contains an attachment portion 78. The attachment portion 78 includes a pair of recesses 80 that are located on the top wall 76 proximate the end walls. The recesses 80 are used to couple the lid 19 to the divider 66 as will be discussed further below.
Referring now to
The surface 90 of each cover portion 84, 86 contains a projection 96 and a recess 98. It should be understood that the projection 96 and recess 98 on each cover portion 84, 86 are operably configured to be aligned to allow the cover portions 84, 86 to be coupled together when the cover portions 84, 86 are rotated upwardly. Specifically, as seen in
As seen in
The storage case 10 is shown in a collapsed position in
The top carousel 116 further contains a pencil sharpener assembly 136 having a cup 138 and a sharpening insert 140. The cup 138 is semi-circular in cross-section and includes an inner wall 142 and outer arcuate wall 144. The cup 138 fits between the sidewall 123 of the divider 120 and the wall 46 of the inner carousel 16. Specifically, the inner wall 142 abuts the sidewall 123 of the divider 120 and the outer wall 144 abuts the inner surface 56 of the wall 46 of the inner carousel 16. The cup 138 collects the pencil shavings when a pencil is sharpened. The sharpening insert 140 contains an inner wall 146, an outer arcuate wall 148, and a top shelf 150. The inner wall 146 and outer wall 148 are interconnected, sized, and operably configured to fit within the cup 138. The top shelf 150 provides a flange 152 that allows the sharpening insert 140 to sit on top of the cup 138. The sharpener 154 is received within an aperture, not shown, in the sharpening insert 140.
The lid 114 is generally circular and has a top surface 156, a sidewall 158, and a grip 160. The grip 160 is arcuate and depends upwardly from the top surface 156. The sidewall 158 depends downwardly from the perimeter of top surface 156.
The top carousel 116 also includes a lock-stop assembly 162, each having a divider 108, and a locking mechanism 164. The dividers 108 are located on the inner surface 56 of the wall 46 of the inner carousel 16 and project inwardly therefrom. It should be understood that multiple tabs 108 are located on the inner surface 56 of the wall 46 of the inner carousel 16 and the number of tabs 108 correspond to the number of locking mechanisms 164. The locking mechanisms 164 are located on the floor 118 of the top carousel 116. The locking mechanisms 164 contain a slot 168 that receives the tab 108 to lock the top carousel 116 with respect to the inner carousel 16 when the storage case is expanded.
The operation of the additional embodiment of the storage case 113 is similar to that of the storage case 10. First the user simply lifts off the lid 114. Next, the user pulls upwardly on the divide 120 to move the storage case from the collapsed position to the expanded position. The notches, guides, and locking members work the same as previously described above.
The present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments, which are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from its scope.
It will be seen from the foregoing that this invention is one well adapted to attain the ends and objects set forth above, and to attain other advantages, which are obvious and inherent in the device. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting.
