U.S. patent application number 11/897429 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-05 for foldable storage container.
Invention is credited to Jason Jung, Kevin H. Jung, Shane F. Jung, Shu F. Jung.
Application Number | 20090057307 11/897429 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40405775 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090057307 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jung; Shane F. ; et
al. |
March 5, 2009 |
Foldable storage container
Abstract
A foldable storage container can be used as a suitcase or to
hold and transport sports balls and has a rear panel, two side
panels, a base, a front panel and a cover. The rear panel has a
top, a bottom and two side edges. The side panels are respectively
formed perpendicularly on the side edges of the rear panel and are
foldable. The base is mounted pivotally on the rear panel. The
front panel is mounted slidably between the side panels and has a
top. The cover is mounted pivotally and detachably on the top of
the rear panel and is selectively locked on the top of the front
panel. Therefore, the foldable storage container can be folded to
occupy a smaller space for convenient storage.
Inventors: |
Jung; Shane F.; (Torrance,
CA) ; Jung; Shu F.; (Torrance, CA) ; Jung;
Jason; (Torrance, CA) ; Jung; Kevin H.;
(Torrance, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
COOPER & DUNHAM, LLP
30 Rockefeller Plaza, 20th Floor
NEW YORK
NY
10112
US
|
Family ID: |
40405775 |
Appl. No.: |
11/897429 |
Filed: |
August 30, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 5/14 20130101; A45C
7/0045 20130101; B65D 11/1806 20130101; A45F 2003/001 20130101;
A45C 13/262 20130101; A45F 3/04 20130101; A45C 13/001 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/6 |
International
Class: |
B65D 6/00 20060101
B65D006/00 |
Claims
1. A foldable storage container comprising: a rear panel having a
top, a bottom and two edges; two side panels respectively mounted
perpendicularly on the sides of the rear panel and being foldable;
a base mounted pivotally on the rear panel and having a pivoting
edge mounted pivotally on the bottom of the rear panel; a front
edge; and a bottom surface; a front panel mounted slidably between
the side panels and having a top, a front surface and two side
edges; and a cover mounted pivotally and detachably on the top of
the rear panel and selectively locked on the top of the front
panel.
2. The foldable storage container as claimed in claim 1, wherein
each side panel comprises a top; a bottom; an inner surface; a
stationary leaf being formed perpendicularly on a corresponding
side of the rear panel and having a rear edge formed on the
corresponding side of the rear panel; a stationary edge; and an
inner surface; and a pivoting leaf mounted pivotally on the
stationary edge of the stationary leaf and having a pivoting edge
mounted pivotally on the stationary edge of the stationary leaf; a
front edge; and a top.
3. The foldable storage container as claimed in claim 2, wherein
each side panel further comprises multiple guide channels formed
separately through the side panel near the top and the bottom and
each guide channel has a front end; a rear end; and an opening
formed through the inner surface of the stationary leaf; and the
front panel has multiple guiding pins, and each guiding pin
protrudes from the side edge of the front panel, is mounted
slidably in one of the guide channels in a corresponding side panel
and has a neck.
4. The foldable storage container as claimed in claim 3, wherein
each guide channel has a lip formed around the opening of the guide
channel; and each guiding pin further a head being larger than,
formed on and protruding from the neck of the guiding pin and being
mounted in a corresponding guide channel and being held by the lip
in the corresponding guide channel.
5. The foldable storage container as claimed in claim 2, wherein
each pivoting leaf has a lock hole formed through the front edge of
the pivoting leaf near the top; and the front panel has multiple
lock recesses formed respectively in the side edges of the front
panel and in the front surface of the front panel, and each lock
recess having a catch being formed through the front surface and a
corresponding one of the side edges of the front panel and having a
top and a bottom; and two protrusions formed respectively on the
top and the bottom of the catch; and multiple lock assemblies, and
each lock assembly being mounted movably in the lock hole of a
corresponding pivot leaf, selectively engaging a corresponding lock
recess and comprising a lock rod mounted movably in the lock hole
of the corresponding pivot leaf, selectively engaging the
corresponding lock recess and having an outer end extending out of
the lock hole of the corresponding pivot leaf; an inner end; an
inner head formed on and protruding from the inner end of the lock
rod and selectively abutting between the catch and the protrusions
of the corresponding lock recess; and an annular flange formed
around the lock rod, selectively abutting a corresponding side
panel and being larger than the lock hole of the corresponding
pivot leaf; and a spring mounted around the lock rod and mounted
between the annular flange and the corresponding side edge of the
front panel.
6. The foldable storage container as claimed in claim 4, wherein
each pivoting leaf has a lock hole formed through the front edge of
the pivoting leaf near the top; and the front panel has multiple
lock recesses formed respectively in the side edges of the front
panel and in the front surface of the front panel, and each lock
recess having a catch being formed through the front surface and a
corresponding one of the side edges of the front panel and having a
top and a bottom; and two protrusions formed respectively on the
top and the bottom of the catch; and multiple lock assemblies, and
each lock assembly being mounted movably in the lock hole of a
corresponding pivot leaf, selectively engaging a corresponding lock
recess and comprising a lock rod mounted movably in the lock hole
of the corresponding pivot leaf, selectively engaging the
corresponding lock recess and having an outer end extending out of
the lock hole of the corresponding pivot leaf; an inner end; an
inner head formed on and protruding from the inner end of the lock
rod and selectively abutting between the catch and the protrusions
of the corresponding lock recess; and an annular flange formed
around the lock rod, selectively abutting a corresponding side
panel and being larger than the lock hole of the corresponding
pivot leaf; and a spring mounted around the lock rod and mounted
between the annular flange and the corresponding side edge of the
front panel.
7. The foldable storage container as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the base has multiple elongated rollers mounted rotatably on the
bottom surface of the base and being parallel to each other.
8. The foldable storage container as claimed in claim 6, wherein
the base has multiple elongated rollers mounted rotatably on the
bottom surface of the base and being parallel to each other.
9. The foldable storage container as claimed in claim 7, wherein
each side panel has multiple through holes formed separately
through the side panel; the base has multiple transverse slots
formed separately through the base, and each longitudinal slot
formed between two corresponding elongated rollers; and the cover
having multiple transverse slots formed separately through the
cover and being parallel to each other.
10. The foldable storage container as claimed in claim 8, wherein
each side panel has multiple through holes formed separately
through the side panel; the base has multiple transverse slots
formed separately through the base, and each transverse slot formed
between two corresponding elongated rollers; and the cover having
multiple transverse slots formed separately through the cover and
being parallel to each other.
11. The foldable storage container as claimed in claim 1 further
comprising two handles mounted respectively on the front and rear
panels and extending respectively out of the top of the front and
rear panels.
12. The foldable storage container as claimed in claim 8 further
comprising two handles mounted respectively on the front and rear
panels and extending respectively out of the top of the front and
rear panels.
13. The foldable storage container as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising a telescopic frame mounted on the rear panel.
14. The foldable storage container as claimed in claim 12, further
comprising a telescopic frame mounted on the rear panel.
15. The foldable storage container as claimed in claim 1, further
comprising two wheels respectively mounted rotatably on the sides
of the rear panel.
16. The foldable storage container as claimed in claim 14, further
comprising two wheels respectively mounted rotatably on the sides
of the rear panel.
17. The foldable storage container as claimed in claim 1 further
comprising at least one additional bag mounted detachably on the
front and side panels.
18. The foldable storage container as claimed in claim 10 further
comprising two handles mounted respectively in the front and rear
panels and extending respectively out of the top of the front and
rear panels; a telescopic frame mounted on the rear panel; and two
wheels respectively mounted rotatably on the sides of the rear
panel.
19. The foldable storage container as claimed in claim 18 further
comprising at least one additional bag mounted detachably on the
front and side panels.
20. The foldable storage container as claimed in claim 9 further
comprising an additional lid mounted pivotally on the rear panel to
cover the base and having a keyhole formed through the additional
lid; and a key protrusion formed on the rear panel and selectively
engaging the keyhole.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a storage container,
especially to a foldable storage container.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Arts
[0004] A conventional storage container can be used as a suitcase
to pack things into when traveling or moving or for carrying sports
equipment, such as tennis balls. The conventional storage container
has a fixed inner space to put things or sports balls into.
Therefore, the storage container has a total volume larger than the
fixed inner space. When the storage container is not in use, the
storage container occupies a large space and is inconveniently
stored.
[0005] To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides
a foldable container to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned
problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The main objective of the present invention is to provide a
foldable storage container. The foldable storage container can be
used as a suitcase or to hold and transport sports balls and has a
rear panel, two side panels, a base, a front panel and a cover. The
rear panel has a top, a bottom and two side edges. The side panels
are respectively pivotally formed perpendicularly on the side edges
of the rear panel. The base is mounted pivotally on the rear panel.
The front panel is mounted slidably between the side panels and has
a top. The cover is mounted pivotally and detachably on the top of
the rear panel and is selectively locked on the top of the front
panel. Therefore, the foldable storage container can be folded to
occupy a smaller space for convenient storage.
[0007] Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a foldable storage
container in accordance with the present invention used as a
luggage trolley;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the foldable storage
container in FIG. 1 without a cover;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the foldable storage
container in FIG. 2 without a front panel;
[0011] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a lock recess and
a guiding pin for the foldable storage container shown in FIG.
1;
[0012] FIG. 5 is an enlarged operational front view in partial
section of a lock assembly of the foldable storage container shown
in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a top view of the foldable storage container in
FIG. 2;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a side view in partial section of the foldable
storage container in FIG. 2;
[0015] FIG. 8 is an operational side view in partial section of the
foldable storage container in FIG. 2 showing a base pivoting;
[0016] FIG. 9 is an operational top view of the foldable storage
container in FIG. 8 showing the base pivoted up;
[0017] FIG. 10 is an operational side view in partial section of
the foldable storage container in FIG. 9 showing a front panel
sliding;
[0018] FIG. 11 is an operational top view of the foldable storage
container in FIG. 10 when the side panels are being folded;
[0019] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the foldable storage
container in FIG. 1 with multiple additional bags;
[0020] FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of another embodiment of
a foldable storage container in accordance with the present
invention used as a tennis ball case;
[0021] FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of the foldable storage
container in FIG. 13;
[0022] FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view of another embodiment
of a foldable storage container in accordance with the present
invention with an additional lid; and
[0023] FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the foldable
storage container in FIG. 15.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 12 and 13, a foldable
storage container in accordance with the present invention can be
used as a suitcase or to carry sports balls and may comprise a rear
panel (10), two side panels (20, 20'), a base (30, 30'), a front
panel (40), a cover (50, 50'), two handles (60), a telescopic frame
(70), two wheels (80) and at least one additional bag (90).
[0025] The rear panel (10) has a top, a bottom and two edges.
[0026] With further reference to FIGS. 5 and 11, the side panels
(20, 20') are respectively formed perpendicularly on the sides of
the rear panel (10) and are foldable. Each side panel (20, 20') has
a top, a bottom, an inner surface, a stationary leaf (21), a
pivoting leaf (22), multiple guide channels (211) and may have
multiple through holes (23').
[0027] The stationary leaf (21) is formed perpendicularly on the
corresponding side of the rear panel (10) and has a rear edge, a
stationary edge and an inner surface. The rear edge of the
stationary leaf (21) is formed on the corresponding side of the
rear panel (10).
[0028] The pivoting leaf (22) is mounted pivotally on the
stationary edge of the stationary leaf (21) and has a pivoting
edge, a front edge, a top and a lock hole (221). The pivoting edge
of the pivoting leaf (22) is mounted pivotally on the stationary
edge of the stationary leaf (21). The lock hole (221) is formed
through the front edge of the pivoting leaf (22) near the top.
[0029] The guide channels (211) are respectively formed separately
through each side panel (20, 20') near the top and the bottom. Each
guide channel (211) has a front end, a rear end, an opening and a
lip (212). The front end of the guide channel (211) is near the
front edge of the pivoting leaf (22). The rear end of the guide
channel (211) is near the rear of the stationary leaf (21). The
opening is formed through the inner surface of the side panel (20,
20'). The lip (212) is formed around the opening of the guide
channel (211).
[0030] The through holes (23') are formed separately through each
side panel (20').
[0031] With further reference to FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 14, the base
(30, 30') is mounted pivotally on the rear panel (10), has a
pivoting edge, a front edge, a bottom surface, multiple elongated
rollers (31, 31') and may have multiple transverse slots (32'). The
pivoting edge of the base (30, 30') is mounted pivotally on the
bottom of the rear panel (10). The elongated rollers (31, 31') are
mounted rotatably on the bottom surface of the base (30, 30') and
are parallel to each other. The transverse slots (32') are formed
separately through the base (30'). Each transverse slot (32') is
formed between two corresponding elongated rollers (31') to hold
sports balls.
[0032] With further reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, the base (30')
may have an additional lid (300') to cover the transverse slots
(32'). The lid (300') is mounted pivotally on and is held
selectively on the rear panel (10) and has a keyhole (301') and a
key protrusion (302'). The keyhole (301') is formed through the
additional lid (300'). The key protrusion (302') is formed on the
rear panel (10) and selectively engages the keyhole (301').
[0033] With further reference to FIGS. 4 and 10, the front panel
(40) is mounted slidably between the side panels (20) and has a
top, a front surface, two side edges, multiple guiding pins (41),
multiple lock recesses (42) and multiple lock assemblies (43).
[0034] Each guiding pin (41) protrudes from the side edge of the
front panel (40) and is slidably mounted in the corresponding guide
channel (211) in the corresponding side panel (20) and has a neck
and a head (411). The neck of the guiding pin (41) is mounted
securely on the corresponding side edge of the front panel (40).
The head (411) is larger than the neck, is formed on and protrudes
from the neck of the guiding pin (41), is mounted in the guide
channel (211) and is held in the guide channel (211) by the lip
(212) of the corresponding guide channel (211).
[0035] The lock recesses (42) are formed respectively in the side
edges of the front panel (40) and in the front surface of the front
panel (40). Each lock recess (42) has a catch and two protrusions
(421). The catch is formed through the corresponding front surface
and the side edge of the front panel (40) and has a top and a
bottom. The protrusions (421) are formed respectively on the top
and the bottom of the catch.
[0036] Each lock assembly (43) is mounted movably in the lock hole
(221) of the corresponding pivoting leaf (22), selectively engages
the corresponding lock recess (42) and comprises a lock rod (431)
and a spring (432). The lock rod (431) is mounted movably in the
lock hole (221) of the corresponding pivot leaf (22), selectively
engages the corresponding lock recess (42) and has an outer end, an
inner end, an inner head (433) and an annular flange (434). The
outer end of the lock rod (431) extends out of the lock hole (221)
of the corresponding pivot leaf (22). The inner head (433) is
formed on and protrudes from the inner end of the lock rod (431)
and selectively abuts between the catch and the protrusions (421)
of the corresponding lock recess (42) to engage the lock rod (431)
in the corresponding lock recess (42). The annular flange (434) is
formed around the lock rod (431), selectively abuts the
corresponding side panel (20, 20'), is larger than the lock hole
(221) of the corresponding pivot leaf (22) and prevents the lock
rod (431) from leaving the lock hole (221) of the corresponding
pivot leaf (22). The spring (432) is mounted around the lock rod
(431) and is mounted between the annular flange (434) and the
corresponding side edge of the front panel (40) and forces the
annular flange (434) away from the corresponding pivot leaf
(22).
[0037] With further reference to FIG. 9, the cover (50, 50') is
mounted pivotally and detachably on the top of the rear panel (10),
is selectively locked on the top of the front panel (40) and may
have multiple transverse slots (51'). The transverse slots (51')
are formed separately through the cover (50') and are parallel to
each other.
[0038] The handles (60) are mounted respectively on the front and
rear panels (40, 10) and extend respectively out of the top of the
front and rear panels (40, 10).
[0039] The telescopic frame (70) is mounted on the rear panel
(10).
[0040] The wheels (80) are respectively mounted rotatably on the
sides of the rear panel (10).
[0041] The at least one additional bag (90) is mounted detachably
on the front and side panels (40, 20) to provide increased
capacity.
[0042] The person folds the foldable storage container as described
for storage. The cover (50) is detached from the rear panel (10) to
be stored separately. The base (30) is pivoted up to be parallel to
the rear panel (10). The lock rods (431) are pressed deeper into
the lock holes (221) to disengage the inner heads (433) from the
lock recesses (42). Then the front panel (40) can slide from the
front ends of the guide channels (222) to the rear ends of the
guide channels (211) of the side panels (20, 20'). The pivot leaves
(21) are folded in to be parallel to the rear panel (20).
Therefore, the foldable storage container as described is folded
smaller to be stored conveniently.
[0043] Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the
present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description,
together with details of the structure and features of the
invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made
in the details, especially in matters of shape, size, and
arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the
full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in
which the appended claims are expressed.
* * * * *