U.S. patent application number 11/203115 was filed with the patent office on 2006-02-16 for self-assembly storage system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Relzu Metal Wire Products Ltd.. Invention is credited to Yehuda Hutzler.
Application Number | 20060032829 11/203115 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35798999 |
Filed Date | 2006-02-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060032829 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hutzler; Yehuda |
February 16, 2006 |
Self-assembly storage system
Abstract
A self-assembly storage system or a kit of parts for
construction thereof comprises: a base portion, a stem portion,
storage units extending forwardly from the stem portion, the base
portion comprising two fire elements connected via a linking
element, the extended frame elements comprising curved extensions
extending from the base portion for fixing the stem portion in
linear continuity therewith. Hence the stem portion is
substantially offset from the base portion to locate the storage
units over a center of gravity defined by the base. The storage
system is substantially stable, and the base portion and the stem
portion comprise substantially two-dimensional components, allowing
for flat packaging of the kit for easy storage and transport.
Inventors: |
Hutzler; Yehuda;
(Rishon-LeZion, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Martin Moynihan;PRTSI, Inc.
P.O. Box 16446
Arlington
VA
22215
US
|
Assignee: |
Relzu Metal Wire Products
Ltd.
|
Family ID: |
35798999 |
Appl. No.: |
11/203115 |
Filed: |
August 15, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60601626 |
Aug 16, 2004 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
211/187 ;
211/181.1; 211/90.03 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 55/02 20130101;
A47B 13/02 20130101; A47B 57/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/187 ;
211/090.03; 211/181.1 |
International
Class: |
A47B 57/00 20060101
A47B057/00 |
Claims
1. A kit of parts for assembly into a storage system, comprising: a
base portion for defining a stable center of gravity, said base
portion comprising at least one extended frame element and a
lateral element, and a stem portion extending from said base
portion for hanging of at least one storage unit over said base
portion, said stem portion being connected in linear continuity
with said extended frame elements.
2. The kit of claim 1, wherein said extended frame element is
curved.
3. The kit of claim 2, wherein said extended frame element
comprises a straight length for defining said base portion, and
which extends with an S-shaped curve to locate said stem portion at
an offset to said base, such that said storage units are hung
substantially centrally over said base portion.
4. The kit of parts of claim 3, comprising a second substantially
identical extended frame element, wherein said lateral element is a
linking element configured for fitting between said straight
lengths of said extended frame elements to form said base
portion.
5. The kit of parts of claim 1, wherein each of said extended frame
elements, said lateral linking element and said stem portion are
substantially two-dimensional for minimal volume packaging.
6. The kit of parts of claim 1, arranged within substantially
two-dimensional packaging.
7. A self-assembly storage system comprising: a base portion; a
stein portion; storage units extending forwardly from said stem
portion; and said base portion comprising two frame elements
connected via a linking element, the extended frame elements
comprising curved extensions extending from said base portion for
fixing said stem portion in linear continuity therewith, such that
said stem portion is substantially offset from said base portion to
locate said storage units over a center of gravity defined by said
base, such that said storage system is substantially stable, and
wherein said base portion and said stem portion comprise
substantially two-dimensional components.
8. A storage system comprising: a base in a first plane, a stem
extending in a perpendicular direction from said first plane, and
an S-shaped linking portion for attaching said stem in linear
continuity with said base while maintaining mutual perpendicularity
therebetween.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority from U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/601,626, filed on Aug. 16,
2004, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by
reference.
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a self-assembly or DIY
storage system and, more particularly, but not exclusively to a
storage trolley useful in a kitchen or office or like
environment.
[0003] DIY storage units are known, as are DIY storage trolleys.
DIY units are typically provided as kits of part assembled pieces.
Generally in DIY systems the part assembly of the pieces is chosen
so that the kit can be provided to the user in as easy to handle a
package as possible, at the same time attempting not to leave the
consumer with too onerous a construction task in order to make the
final product.
[0004] The pieces of a DIY system are thus generally designed to be
as one- or two-dimensional as possible without compromising on the
mechanical integrity of the final product.
[0005] Now storage systems in particular have to balance, meaning
that the storage space has to be located stably over the center of
gravity of the system. Indeed the part-assembled pieces have to be
made so that they fit together to define a centre of gravity that
confers stability on the unit for any reasonable load that is
placed in the storage unit A consequence of this is to constrain
the possibilities for designing such a product.
[0006] In one solution at least one of the pieces has to have a
full three-dimensional shape. A flat base portion, often square or
rectangular, typically has a stem extending upwardly therefrom in a
plane which is perpendicular to the flat base portion. The base and
stem form the stable skeleton of the storage unit. As the base and
stem extend in respectively perpendicular planes, the skeleton is
necessarily three-dimensional.
[0007] In order to incorporate the three-dimensional skeleton, the
package in which the kit is provided is not as easy to handle as is
desirable, hence increasing transport costs or being inconvenient
to customers who wish to transport the package in their cars from
the DIY store.
[0008] In other solutions which allow for flat packaging, the
storage units or shelves in fact attach to walls or poles to
provide structural stability. These solutions do in fact provide
for substantially flat packaging but have other disadvantages.
First of all the storage units, whether baskets or shelves, become
an intrinsic part of the structure and hence cannot be removed.
Secondly, construction is more complicated, requiring awkward
attachment operations using substantial numbers of screws or Like
attachment means.
[0009] There is thus a widely recognized need for, and it would be
highly advantageous to have, a storage system devoid of the above
limitations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention there is
provided a kit of parts for assembly, typically by a consumer, into
a storage system, comprising:
[0011] a base portion for defining a stable center of gravity, the
base portion comprising at least one extended frame element and a
lateral element, and
[0012] a stem portion extending from the base portion for hanging
of at least one storage unit, typically a hanging basket, over the
base portion, the stem portion being connected in linear continuity
with the extended frame elements.
[0013] Preferably, the extended frame element is curved.
[0014] Preferably, the extended frame element comprises a straight
length for defining the base portion, and which extends with an
S-shaped curve to locate the stem portion at an offset to the base,
such that the storage units are hung substantially centrally over
the base portion.
[0015] Preferably, there is provided a second substantially
identical extended frame element, wherein the lateral element is a
lining element configured for fitting between the straight lengths
of the extended frame elements to form the base portion.
[0016] Preferably, each of the extended frame elements, the lateral
linking element and the stem portion are substantially
two-dimensional for minimal volume packaging.
[0017] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a self-assembly storage system comprising:
[0018] a base portion;
[0019] a stem portion;
[0020] storage units extending forwardly from the stem portion;
and
[0021] the base portion comprising two frame elements connected via
a linking element, the extended frame elements comprising curved
extensions extending from the base portion for fixing the stem
portion in linear continuity therewith, such that the stem portion
is substantially offset from the base portion to locate the storage
units over a center of gravity defined by the base thereby
rendering the storage system substantially stable, and wherein the
base portion and the stem portion comprise substantially
two-dimensional components.
[0022] According to a third aspect of the present invention there
is provided a storage system comprising:
[0023] a base in a first plane;
[0024] a stem extending in a perpendicular direction from said
first plane; and
[0025] an S-shaped linking portion comprising at least one S-shaped
linking component for attaching said stem in linear continuity with
said base while maintaining the mutually perpendicular arrangement
between the base the and the stem.
[0026] The present embodiments encompass a storage system made of
parts for self-assembly by a user, as well as a kit of
self-assembling parts for constructing a storage system. In these
embodiments, the constituent parts are substantially flat, meaning
that most of their extent is in two of the three dimensions, in
other words that the parts take up minimal volume.
[0027] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The
materials, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative
only and not intended to be limiting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] The invention is herein described, by way of example only,
with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific
reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the
particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of
illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present
invention only, and are presented in order to provide what is
believed to be the most useful and readily understood description
of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this
regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the
invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental
understanding of the invention, the description taken with the
drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the
several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.
[0029] In the drawings:
[0030] FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram showing a storage system
according to a first preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0031] FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram showing the initial
construction of the base and stem of the system of FIG. 1;
[0032] FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram showing the addition of a
lateral linking element or cross-support to the base of the initial
construction of FIG. 2;
[0033] FIG. 4 is a simplified diagram illustrating the addition of
wheels or castors for a mobile version of the embodiment of FIG. 3;
and
[0034] FIG. 5 is a simplified diagram illustrating the addition of
storage baskets to the stem of the embodiment of FIG. 4.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0035] The present embodiments comprise a kit of parts for
construction into a storage system. The parts are substantially
flat for easy packaging and storage, and yet are designed so that
when constructed they provide a storage system in three dimensions
having a stable center of gravity. A preferred embodiment has
wheels or castors attached to the base to provide a storage trolley
system.
[0036] The principles and operation of a storage system according
to the present invention may be better understood with reference to
the drawings and accompanying description.
[0037] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention
in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited
in its application to the details of construction and the
arrangement of the components set forth in the following
description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is
capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out
in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology
and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description
and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0038] Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which illustrates a storage
system according to a first preferred embodiment of the present
invention. The storage system comprises a base portion 10, a stem
12 extending upwardly from the back of the base, and wire baskets
14, 16 and 18, hung forwardly from the stem. The stem is offset
from the base to ensure that the hanging baskets are located over
the center of gravity defined by the base, with the intention of
maintaining stability of the storage system no matter what weights
are placed in the basket.
[0039] As will be explained in greater detail below, the base
consists of frame elements which extend beyond the base with an `s`
shaped bend. The stem extends from the end of the S shape and in
linear continuity therewith.
[0040] Castors 20 may optionally be provided on the base to provide
mobility.
[0041] FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram illustrating the construction
of the base 10 and stem 12 from tubing parts. The tubing parts may
extend in one or two dimensions but are flat in the third
dimension. Extended frame elements 22 and 24 are constructed from
metal tubing in flattened S-shapes. The base of the flattened S,
marked as 25 in the figure, forms the side of the base portion of
the system and a first part 27 of the S-shape curves back over the
base. The curve back over the base 27 is followed by a second
flattened portion 28 which extends for the length of the base, and
then a second curve 29 extends upwardly from above the rear end of
the base.
[0042] Stem part 26 is an inverted U shape with cross-supports 27.
Stem part 26 forms a hanging frame. The two extended frame elements
are fixed to the lower end of stem part 26 such as to extend in
parallel with each other at right angles to the plane of stem part
26.
[0043] The upper end of the second curve 29, at the end of the
tubing, is fixed to the lower end of stem part 26, such that the
stem extends from the end of the extension in linear continuity
therewith. This is distinct from the prior art systems where the
stem is generally the same piece as the base and usually extends
from the flat part of the base as part of a "T" connection, or an
"L" connection.
[0044] FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram illustrating the addition of
a lateral linking element 30, to the base tubing parts 22 and 24.
The lateral linking element 30 is fixed via downwardly pointed
extremities 31 into corresponding holes 32 in the flattened part 25
of the S-shape. The lateral linking element 30 provides structure
for the base portion by fixing the extended frame elements with
respect to each other, and further provides a lower shelf for the
storage system.
[0045] The combination of stem, extended frame elements and lateral
linking element preferably provides a stable framework for carrying
a load.
[0046] Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which is a simplified
diagram illustrating the insertion of the castors. Castors 20 are
inserted via pivotal mounts 33 into suitable holes in the flattened
part of the S shapes of extended frame elements 10 at the points
that form the four outer corners of the base portion.
[0047] FIG. 5 is a simplified diagram illustrating the insertion of
wire baskets 14, 16 and 18 onto stem part 12. The wire baskets are
simply hung at their upper corners on hooks 34. The sides of the
stem part 12 provide a reaction surface against which the lower
corners of the wire baskets can lean so that the wire baskets are
stable.
[0048] It will be appreciated from a brief perusal of the figures
that the parts in the kit are substantially two-dimensional so that
they can be packed in a minimal volume or flat packaging. In
particular, the extended base elements, the inverted U of the stem,
and the lateral linking element are substantially two-dimensional.
The baskets necessarily have volume for storage but easily fit
within each other.
[0049] Flat packaging is advantageous as it reduces transport costs
throughout the distribution chain, requires less storage space, and
allows consumers to fit the packaging directly into their vehicles
with ease.
[0050] It will be appreciated that in place of wire baskets any
other sort of container can be used and may be made of any suitable
material, such as plastic, or wood. Similarly the stem and base
parts may be made of any suitable material.
[0051] It is appreciated that certain features of the invention,
which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate
embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single
embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which
are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment,
may also be provided separately or in any suitable
subcombination.
[0052] Although the invention has been described in conjunction
with specific embodiments thereof; it is evident that many
alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace
all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall
within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *