Multi-modal wall mountable storage cabinet with drop down table

Abstract

A portable wall mountable storage cabinet adapted for use with vaporous compound storage, tools, and other items, including a drop down storage table, which secures stored items within the storage cabinet when the storage table is not opened and in use.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field

[0002] This invention pertains to storage cabinets. In particular it pertains to a multi-modal wall mountable storage cabinet adapted for use with vaporous compound storage, tools, and other items. It also includes a drop down storage table, which secures compounds within the storage cabinet when not in use.

[0003] 2. State of the Art

[0004] A number of wall storage systems are known. Germano, U.S. Pat. No. 6,113,202 discloses a wall mountable cabinet that holds tools and the like with a fold down work bench. The Germano bench is supported by hinges and is portable. Lambert, U.S. Pat. No. 6,039,416 discloses a wall mounted pivoting work bench, which is not portable. Skafte et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,155,609 discloses a foldable wall mounted work bench hingedly attached to the bottom of a wall-hung cabinet. Collins, U.S. Pat. No. 5,513,574 discloses a wall mounted folding table cabinet. Neufeld et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,707,126 discloses a self-retracting, wall-mounted desk and chart holder with a piston held drop down desk. Umanoffet et al, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 293,403 discloses a wall mounted vanity with hinged work bench. Turner, U.S. Pat. No. 4,919,498 discloses a portable collapsible wall supported fold down desk.

[0005] None disclose a multi-modal, wall mountable storage system with removable legs particularly adapted for use for the storage of vapor emitting compounds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The invention comprises a multi-modal wall mountable storage cabinet with a drop down table cover. It is structured as a storage container sized to hold tools, chemicals, paints, insecticides, and other vapor emitting compounds with a back, a top, a bottom and sides preferably made of a vapor impervious material. They are secured together to form an impervious rectangular storage box with open front having a bottom with attachment edge. Preferably, the container is sized to fit within the bed of a service vehicle, such as a pick-up truck so that it is portable for transport to a job site. The top of the container may include handles to assist in transport.

[0007] The wall mountable storage cabinet may include additional storage racks mounted within the cabinet. In one preferred embodiment, hinged storage leafs are also attached to the interior of the sides to open to expose tools stored thereon. These storage leafs are adapted with structure as storage racks on which removably hung articles and tools may be supported therefrom for more vertical storage capacity within the container. Other shelves may also be included within the container to divide the storage space into compartments.

[0008] A hinged table cover is attached to the bottom attachment edge and structured to close the table cover over the open front to substantially or completely vapor seal contents in the container in a closed mode, or drop down and form an angled work bench in an open mode. For example, the table cover work bench could be at a 90 degree horizontal angle to provide a level surface, as well as between 90 degrees and 180 degrees for using the bench for drafting, painting, etc. The device also provides a space saving storage unit in small garages and work areas where space is limited. The container is preferably made of a chemically resistant material, which prevents chemicals stored therein from permeating a storage area. Ideally, rigid metals, plastics, and other resin materials, which are resistant to stored chemicals, such as insecticides, paints, and other vapor emitting compounds are used to construct the storage container. This material must be sufficiently rigid to retain the container shape and prevent damage to the items stored inside the container.

[0009] At least one extendable leg is attached to exterior of the hinged table cover to extend and contact a support surface, when opened, to hold the table cover at a desired angle. In the preferred embodiment, a pair of extendable telescoping legs are attached to the exterior top edges of the table cover proximate the side of the container. These legs may be adjusted to elevate the table cover at the desired height and angle to provide the user with a variety of heights to choose from for mounting the entire unit. Preferably, the two legs are sized to collapse to a length less than the width of the table cover when closed so that they do not extend beyond the bottom of the container to prevent it from resting on its base.

[0010] These legs are preferably removably attached so that they can be removed when the container is carried and transported in the back of a service vehicle, such as a pick up truck or other work van. This also allows the container to be mounted on a wall with the table cover dropped down, where open container storage is desired as a shelf system.

[0011] Wall mount means, such as a bracket, hanger, mounting slot in the back of the container, etc. may be included and associated with the back of the container to removably mount the container on a vertical support surface, such as a garage wall. Alternatively, the back of the unit may be made of a material, which can be penetrated by fasteners, such as screws to secure the container onto a supporting wall. To prevent access to the stored contents, securing means such as a lock, latch, or bolt are associated with the table cover to openably and closably secure said table cover to the sides of the container in a closed storage mode. This enables the safe storage of items such as firearms, hazardous chemicals, and dangerous tools. In one preferred embodiment, the wall mountable storage cabinet comprises: a container sized to hold tools, chemicals, paints, insecticides, and other vapor emitting compounds. It has a back structured to attach to a vertical support surface, a top, a bottom with attachment edge, and sides made of a vapor impervious material secured together to form a rectangular storage box with open front. A hinged cover is attached to the bottom attachment edge and structured to close over the open front to vapor seal contents in the container in a closed mode, and/or to drop down and form an approximately horizontal work bench in an open mode, or freely hang down to minimize the area occupied while exposing the container contents when vapor containment is not required in an open storage mode.

[0012] A pair of removable extendable legs is attached to the hinged front exterior of the table cover to extend and contact a support surface when opened to support to the table cover to form a work surface. A wall mount is attached to the back of the container with structure to removably mount the container on a vertical support surface. A securing latch is attached to the cover and a corresponding keeper is attached to the side of the container to openably and closably secure said table cover to the sides of the container in a closed storage mode. Handles may be attached to the top to aid in carrying.

[0013] The multi-purpose device thus may thus be used in a variety of ways, such as:

[0014] a. permanently mounted to a vertical support surface in a garage or work area with legs attached to provide a lockable storage container with optional work bench.

[0015] b. temporarily mounted to a vertical support surface in a work area with legs attached to hold the table cover at a desired angle in the open position so that, for instance a construction foreperson could use the bench surface as an easel to hold blueprints.

[0016] c. Temporarily mounted to a vertical support surface in a work area without legs attached.

[0017] d. Carried in the carrying bed of a service vehicle with legs attached to provide a work bench when opened up.

[0018] e. Utilized in the carrying bed of a service vehicle without legs to provide a storage unit for tools, paints, fittings, etc.

[0019] In summary, the device provides a space saving multi-modal storage unit with drop down table particularly adapted for use in small garages where space is limited.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 is a front view of the invention wall mounted in an open mode.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a front view of the invention shown in FIG. 1 in the closed mode.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the invention shown in FIG. 1 closed in the bed of a pickup truck.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the invention shown in FIG. 1 in the open mode on the tail gate of a pickup truck.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] FIG. 1 is a front view of the invention 10 mounted to a wall in the open mode with the table cover 12 hingedly mounted to the bottom 13 of the container 14. Wall mounts (not shown) are attached to the back 15 of the container 14 to removably mount it to a vertical support surface such as the studs of a garage wall. As shown, the container 14 is mounted to the support wall, and the table cover 12 freely hangs down from the units bottom near the support wall to expose the container 14 contents when vapor containment is not required. In this position, the container 14 is used more as a storage cabinet. The container 14 includes shelves 16 dividing the interior storage space into compartments. Also, the container 14 is preferably sized to have a length the width of a pickup truck bed to store behind the cab when transported to a job site. It may then be slid to the end of the truck bed and opened exposing the contents and positioning the table cover 12 in the vertical position by extending the telescoping legs 18 to form a work bench at the end of the truck bed. The telescoping legs act to transfer loads to the ground; thereby more securely supporting the table cover 12 than if solely supported by the truck bed because of its ride suspension system

[0026] FIG. 2 shows the invention 10 of FIG. 1 in a closed mode with the table cover 12 secured over the container 14 opening when vapor emitting compounds, such as pesticides and paints, are stored therein. To prevent unauthorized access, a locking latch 17 is attached to the table cover 12 to secure it to the container 14.

[0027] The container 14 and table cover 12 are made of plastic or covered wood impervious and resistant to chemical vapors to provide a rigid storage container protecting items stored therein. Covered wood construction of the table cover 12 provides a more stable workbench surface, when in use. The rest of the container may also be made of wood construction where weight is not a factor. The closed container 14 thus prevents the chemical vapors from storage compounds from permeating a garage or storage area; particularly during hot summer months. If complete vapor containment is required, the edges of the container 14 may include structure, such as a rubber gasket or boot lining to form an airtight seal with the table cover 12, when closed.

[0028] Pivoting telescoping legs 18 are hingedly attached to the exterior of the table cover 12 and store against the table cover 12 when not in use. The legs 18 are adjusted in height to hold the table cover 12 at a variety of angles to suit the preference of a user. For example, when drawing, the table cover 12 may be angled as an easel. When used to support a vice, the table cover 12 is generally held by the legs 18 at an approximately horizontal angle.

[0029] FIG. 3 is another embodiment of the invention 10 showing the table cover 12 in an elevated work bench position supported by the telescoping legs 18. These legs are usually separated by a brace 19 to prevent the legs 18 from splaying when weight is applied to the table cover 12. When the unit is open as in FIG. 3, the legs can be locked into position with a locking pin (not shown) to prevent the legs from moving forward backward, causing the table to drop.

[0030] Hingedly attached to the side 20 of the container 14 is a vertical storage leaf 22 to which additional tools and items may be attached on either side of the leaf 22. The storage leaf 22 may then be swung open to expose the attached tools for easier retrieval. Attached to the top 24 of the container 14 are handles (not shown) used to carry the container when not mounted to a vertical support surface. FIG.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the invention 10 of FIG. 1 closed and mounted in the bed of a pickup truck. It is generally mounted against the back of the truck cab so it won't shift during transport.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the invention shown in FIG. 4 in the open mode positioned on the dropped tail gate of a pickup truck. The container 14 table cover 12 is then angled to contact the ground by extending the telescoping legs 18. Also shown is the leaf 22 swung open to provide access to stored tools.

[0033] Although the foregoing description refers to the illustrated embodiments, it is not intended thereby to restrict the scope of the appended claims. The claims themselves recite those features deemed essential to the invention.

Claims

I claim:

1. A wall mountable storage cabinet comprising: a. a container sized to hold tools, storage items, chemicals, paints, insecticides, and other vapor emitting compounds having a back structured to attach to a vertical support surface, a top, a bottom with attachment edge, and sides made of a vapor impervious material secured together to form a rectangular storage box with open front, b. a hinged table cover attached to the bottom attachment edge and structured to close over the open front to minimize vapor emissions from the contents permeating outside the container in a closed mode, and to drop down and form an angled work bench in an open mode, c. a plurality of extendable legs attached to the hinged table cover to extend and contact a support surface when opened to hold the table cover at a desired angle, and d. securing means attached to the table cover to openably and closably secure said table cover to the sides of the container in a closed storage mode.

2. A wall mountable storage cabinet according to claim 1, including wall mount means attached to the back of the container with structure to removably mount the container on a vertical support surface

3. A wall mountable storage cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the cabinet and hinged table include gasket structure therebetween to form an air tight seal when in the closed mode.

4. A wall mountable storage cabinet according to claim 1, wherein there are two legs sized to collapse to a length less than the width of the table cover when closed.

5. A wall mountable storage cabinet according to claim 4, wherein the legs are removable.

6. A wall mountable storage cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the container is sized to fit within the bed of a pick-up truck.

7. A wall mountable storage cabinet according to claim 1, including storage racks mounted within the cabinet.

8. A wall mountable storage cabinet according to claim 7, wherein the storage racks are adapted with structure to removably hang articles and tools therefrom.

9. A wall mountable storage cabinet according to claim 8, including hinged storage racks mounted within the container to provide more vertical storage capacity.

10. A wall mountable storage cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the container is chemical resistant.

11. A wall mountable storage cabinet according to claim 1, including handles attached to the container for transport, and wherein the container is sized to be carried by a user.

12. A wall mountable storage cabinet comprising: a. a container sized to fit within a carrying bed of a service vehicle and hold tools, chemicals, paints, insecticides, and other vapor emitting compounds having a back structured to removably attach to a vertical support surface, a top, a bottom with attachment edge, and sides made of a vapor impervious material secured together to form a rectangular storage box with open front, b. a hinged cover attached to the bottom attachment edge and structured to close over the open front to seal contents within the container in a closed mode, and to drop down and form an approximately horizontal work bench in an open mode, c. a pair of removable extendable legs attached to the hinged front to extend and contact a support surface when opened to support to the table cover to form a work surface, and d. a securing latch attached to the cover with a corresponding keeper attached to the side of the container to openably and closably secure said table cover to the sides of the container in a closed mode.

13. A wall mountable storage cabinet according to claim 12, wherein the legs are removed and the table cover is structured to hang down from the bottom of the container near the support surface to minimize the area occupied while exposing the container contents when vapor containment is not required in an open storage mode