U.S. patent application number 12/750684 was filed with the patent office on 2011-10-06 for collapsible storage basket.
Invention is credited to Pei-Chuan MA.
Application Number | 20110240638 12/750684 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44708408 |
Filed Date | 2011-10-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110240638 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MA; Pei-Chuan |
October 6, 2011 |
COLLAPSIBLE STORAGE BASKET
Abstract
The collapsible storage basket contains two rigid longitudinal
plates, two flexible lateral plates, a flexible first base plate
connecting the lateral and longitudinal plates' bottom rims, and a
rigid second base plate stitched or adhered to a top side of the
first base plate along a middle section of each of the second base
plate's lateral edges. A rigid support plate is connected to the
top rim of each lateral plate. To put the storage box to use, the
longitudinal and lateral plates are raised and the two support
plates are flipped inward so that their bottom rims are pressed
against the second base plate. When the storage basket is not in
use, the support plates are flipped outward and, by the flexibility
of the two lateral plates, the longitudinal plates are folded
inward. The storage basket then turns into a flat shape for easy
storage and transportation.
Inventors: |
MA; Pei-Chuan; (Taipei City,
TW) |
Family ID: |
44708408 |
Appl. No.: |
12/750684 |
Filed: |
March 30, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/3635 20130101;
B65D 5/3607 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/6 |
International
Class: |
B65D 6/18 20060101
B65D006/18 |
Claims
1. A collapsible storage basket, comprising: two rigid longitudinal
plates; two flexible lateral plates; a flexible first base plate
connecting the bottom rims of said lateral and longitudinal plates;
a rigid second base plate on top of said first base plate partially
fixed to said first base plate along a middle section of each of
said second base plate's lateral edges, leaving the rest of the
circumference of said second base plate freely detachable from said
first base plate; and two rigid support plates connected to the top
rims of said lateral plates, respectively; wherein, to use said
collapsible storage basket, said longitudinal and lateral plates
are pulled upward and said support plates are flipped inward so
that the bottom rims of said longitudinal plates and said support
plates are pressed against said second base plate, thereby forming
a storage room for various objects; and, when said collapsible
storage basket is not in use, said support plates are flipped
outward and, by the flexibility of said two lateral plates, said
longitudinal plates are folded inward and said support plates are
flipped inward and stacked so that said collapsible storage basket
turns into a flat shape for easy storage and transportation.
2. The collapsible storage basket according to claim 1, wherein
said second base plate is fixed to said first base plate by
stitching or adhesion.
3. The collapsible storage basket according to claim 1, wherein
said flexible lateral plates and said first base plate are made of
cloth.
4. The collapsible storage basket according to claim 1, wherein
each of said two rigid longitudinal plates and said two support
plates is made by wrapping flexible cloth around rigid objects.
5. A collapsible storage basket, comprising: two rigid longitudinal
plates where one of said longitudinal plates has an opening and a
side cover plate connecting said longitudinal plate along the top
edge of said opening; two flexible lateral plates; a flexible first
base plate connecting the bottom rims of said lateral and
longitudinal plates; a flexible top cover plate connecting the top
rims of said lateral and longitudinal plates; a rigid second base
plate on top of said first base plate partially fixed to said first
base plate along a middle section of each of said second base
plate's lateral edges, leaving the rest of the circumference of
said second base plate freely detachable from said first base
plate; and two rigid support plates connected to the top rims of
said lateral plates, respectively; wherein, to use said collapsible
storage basket, said longitudinal and lateral plates are pulled
upward and said support plates are flipped inward so that the
bottom rims of said longitudinal plates and said support plates are
pressed against said second base plate, thereby forming a storage
room for various objects; and, when said collapsible storage basket
is not in use, said support plates are flipped outward and, by the
flexibility of said two lateral plates, said longitudinal plates
are folded inward and said support plates are flipped inward and
stacked so that said collapsible storage basket turns into a flat
shape for easy storage and transportation.
6. The collapsible storage basket according to claim 5, wherein
corresponding fastening elements are provided on said longitudinal
plate along the bottom edge of said opening and said side cover
plate, respectively, so as to fix said side cover plate when it
seals said opening.
7. The collapsible storage basket according to claim 5, wherein two
flexible extensions are extended from the top rims of said support
plates, respectively; when said support plates are flipped
downward, said extensions are inserted beneath said second base
plate while the top rims of said support plates are pressed by said
second base plate; and, as such, said collapsible shoe box is more
solid and is prevented from shaking or inclining.
8. A collapsible storage basket, comprising: two rigid longitudinal
plates where one of said longitudinal plates has an opening and a
side cover plate connecting said longitudinal plate along the top
edge of said opening; two flexible lateral plates; a rigid first
base plate connecting the bottom rims of said lateral and
longitudinal plates; a rigid top cover plate connecting the top
rims of said lateral and longitudinal plates; a second base plate
having a longitudinal edge connected to the top rim of a
longitudinal plate opposite to said opening, said second base plate
bendable along a longitudinal line; and two rigid support plates
connected to the top rims of said lateral plates, respectively;
wherein, to use said collapsible storage basket, said longitudinal
and lateral plates are pulled upward and said support plates are
flipped inward and said second base plate is pushed inward into a L
shape supporting a longitudinal plate and said first base plate,
thereby forming a stable storage room where objects could be placed
inside through said opening and sealed by said side cover plate;
when said storage basket is not in use, said side cover plate is
opened and said support plates are flipped upward and said second
base plate is pulled outward; and, as said lateral plates are
flexible and folded inward, said support plates are then closed and
stacked, turning said storage basket into a flat shape.
Description
(a) TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to collapsible
baskets, and more particular to a collapsible storage basket that
could take shape easily and folded into a flat shape for easy
storage and transportation.
(b) DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0002] A conventional storage basket usually has a fixed structure
made of wood or plastic and contains a number of compartments for
storage separated by partition plates. Due to its fixed structure,
the conventional storage basket would take up considerable space
when not in use and therefore would be difficult to store or
transport. Even though it usually could be disassembled, it
requires re-assembly when it is put to use again, which is
troublesome and laborious.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] As such, a novel collapsible storage basket is provided
herein. The storage basket would take shape by simple pulling and
flipping and, when not in use, could be collapsed into a flat shape
for easy storage and transportation, making its usage extremely
convenient.
[0004] The collapsible storage basket contains two rigid
longitudinal plates, two flexible lateral plates, a flexible first
base plate connecting the lateral and longitudinal plates' bottom
rims, and a rigid second base plate stitched or adhered to a top
side of the first base plate along a middle section of each of the
second base plate's lateral edges. A rigid support plate is
connected to the top rim of each lateral plate. To put the storage
box to use, the longitudinal and lateral plates are raised and the
two support plates are flipped inward so that their bottom rims are
pressed against the second base plate, thereby forming a storage
room for various objects. When the storage basket is not in use,
the support plates are flipped outward and, by the flexibility of
the two lateral plates, the longitudinal plates are folded inward.
The storage basket then turns into a flat shape for easy storage
and transportation.
[0005] The two rigid longitudinal plates and the two rigid support
plates are made by wrapping flexible cloth around rigid objects
such as cardboards.
[0006] The foregoing objectives and summary provide only a brief
introduction to the present invention. To fully appreciate these
and other objects of the present invention as well as the invention
itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the
art, the following detailed description of the invention and the
claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings. Throughout the specification and drawings identical
reference numerals refer to identical or similar parts.
[0007] Many other advantages and features of the present invention
will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making
reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets
of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment
incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by
way of illustrative example.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram showing a collapsible
storage basket according to a first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective schematic diagram showing the
collapsible storage basket of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a partially exposed schematic diagram showing the
internal of a longitudinal plate of the storage basket of FIG.
1.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective diagram showing the storage basket
of FIG. 1 when it is put to use.
[0012] FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective diagrams showing the scenario
of collapsing the storage basket of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a perspective diagram showing a collapsible
storage basket according to a second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a perspective schematic diagram showing the
collapsible storage basket of FIG. 7.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a profile schematic diagram showing the
collapsible storage basket of FIG. 7.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged schematic diagram showing
the internal of a support plate of the storage basket of FIG.
7.
[0017] FIG. 11 is a perspective diagram showing a collapsible
storage basket according to a third embodiment of the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 12 is a perspective schematic diagram showing the
collapsible storage basket of FIG. 11.
[0019] FIG. 13 is a perspective diagram showing a collapsible
storage basket according to a fourth embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] The following descriptions are exemplary embodiments only,
and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability or
configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following
description provides a convenient illustration for implementing
exemplary embodiments of the invention. Various changes to the
described embodiments may be made in the function and arrangement
of the elements described without departing from the scope of the
invention as set forth in the appended claims.
[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a collapsible storage basket
according to a first embodiment of the present invention contains
two rigid longitudinal plates 1, two flexible lateral plates 2, and
a flexible first base plate 3 connecting the bottom rims of the
lateral and longitudinal plates 1 and 2. A rigid second base plate
4 is stitched or adhered to a top side of the first base plate 3
along a middle section of each of the second base plate 4's lateral
edges. The rest of the circumference of the second base plate 4 is
freely detachable from the first base plate 3.
[0022] A rigid support plate 5 is connected to the top rim of each
lateral plate 2. The two rigid longitudinal plates 1 and the two
rigid support plates 5, in the present embodiment, are made by
wrapping flexible cloth 12, 52 around rigid objects such as
cardboards 11, 51 for enhanced appearance. The flexible lateral
plates 2 and the first base plate 3 are made of a flexible material
such as cloth.
[0023] With the foregoing arrangement, a collapsible storage basket
is achieved. To put to use, the longitudinal and lateral plates 1
and 2 are raised and the two support plates 5 are flipped inward so
that their bottom rims are pressed against the second base plate 4,
thereby forming a storage room for various objects. When the
storage basket is not in use, the support plates 5 are flipped
outward and, by the flexibility of the two lateral plates 2, the
longitudinal plates 1 are folded inward. The storage basket then
turns into a flat shape for easy storage and transportation.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 4, when the longitudinal and lateral plates
1 and 2 are pulled upward, the support plates 5 are flipped inward
and the second base plate 4 provides support to and presses against
the bottom rims of the longitudinal and lateral plates 1 and 2, and
the support plates 5, thereby forming a stable and reliable storage
room where various objects could be stored.
[0025] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the storage basket is not in
use, the support plates 5 are flipped outward and the longitudinal
plates 1 could be closed inward as the lateral plates 2 are
flexible and could be wrinkled. When the longitudinal plates 1 are
closed inward, since the second base plate 4 is only stitched or
adhered along a middle section of its lateral edges, the second
base plate 4 is raised upward and the storage basket is collapsed
into a flat shape. The two support plates 5 are then closed and
stacked on top of the second base plate 4.
[0026] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a collapsible storage basket
according to a second embodiment of the present invention contains
two rigid longitudinal plates 1, two flexible lateral plates 2, a
flexible first base plate 3 connecting the bottom rims of the
lateral and longitudinal plates 1 and 2, and a flexible top cover
plate 6 connecting the top rims of the lateral and longitudinal
plates 1 and 2. An opening 13 is configured in one of the
longitudinal plates 1 and a side cover plate 14 is connected to the
longitudinal plate 1 along the top edge of the opening 13.
Corresponding fastening elements 16 and 15 on the longitudinal
plate 1 along the bottom edge of the opening 13 and the side cover
plate 14, respectively, so as to fix the side cover plate 14 when
it seals the opening 13. A rigid second base plate 4 is stitched or
adhered to a top side of the first base plate 3 along a middle
section of each of the second base plate 4's lateral edges. The
rest of the circumference of the second base plate 4 is freely
detachable from the first base plate 3. A rigid support plate 5 is
connected to the top rim of each lateral plate 2. In turn, a
flexible extension 53 is extended for an appropriate length from
the top rim of each support plate 5.
[0027] With the foregoing arrangement, a collapsible shoe box is
achieved. To use the shoe box, the longitudinal and lateral plates
1 and 2 are pulled upward and, by threading hand into the box
through the opening 13, the support plates 5 are flipped downward
to attach to the inner sides of the lateral plates 2 and the second
base plate 4 provides support to and presses against the bottom
rims of the longitudinal plates 1 and the extensions 53 of the
support plates 5, thereby forming a stable storage room where shoes
could be placed inside through the opening 13. By the fastening
elements 15 and 16, the opening 13 is reliably sealed by the side
cover plate 14. When the shoe box is not in use, the side cover
plate 14 is opened and, by threading hand through the opening 13
inside, the support plates 5 are flipped upward and the
longitudinal plates 1 could be closed inward as the lateral plates
2 are flexible and could be wrinkled. When the longitudinal plates
1 are closed inward, since the second base plate 4 is only stitched
or adhered along a middle section of its lateral edges, the second
base plate 4 is raised upward and the storage basket is collapsed
into a flat shape. The two support plates 5 are then closed and
stacked on top of the second base plate 4.
[0028] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the support plates 5 are formed
by wrapping flexible cloth 52 around rigid cardboards 51 and the
cloth 52 are extended to form the extensions 53. When the support
plates 5 are flipped downward, the extensions are inserted beneath
the second base plate 4 while the top rims of the support plates 5
are pressed by the second base plate 4. As such, the collapsible
shoe box is more solid and is prevented from shaking or
inclining.
[0029] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a collapsible storage basket
according to a third embodiment of the present invention contains
two rigid longitudinal plates 1, two flexible lateral plates 2, a
rigid first base plate 3 connecting the bottom rims of the lateral
and longitudinal plates 1 and 2, and a rigid top cover plate 6
connecting the top rims of the lateral and longitudinal plates 1
and 2. An opening 13 is configured in one of the longitudinal
plates 1 and a side cover plate 14 is connected to the longitudinal
plate 1 along the top edge of the opening 13. A second base plate 4
has a longitudinal edge connected to a top rim of the longitudinal
plate 1 opposite to the opening 13. The second base plate 4 could
be bended along a longitudinal line 41. A rigid support plate 5 is
connected to the top rim of each lateral plate 2.
[0030] With the foregoing arrangement, a collapsible shoe box is
achieved. To use the shoe box, the longitudinal and lateral plates
1 and 2 are pulled upward and, by threading hand into the box
through the opening 13, the support plates 5 are flipped downward
and the second base plate 4 is pushed inward into a L shape
supporting a longitudinal plate 1 and the first base plate 3,
thereby forming a stable storage room where shoes could be placed
inside through the opening 13 and sealed by the side cover plate
14. When the shoe box is not in use, the side cover plate 14 is
opened and, by threading hand through the opening 13 inside, the
support plates 5 are flipped upward and the second base plate 4 is
pulled outward. As the lateral plates 2 are flexible, they are
folded inward and the two support plates 5 are then closed and
stacked, turning the shoe box into a flat shape.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 13, a collapsible storage basket according
to a fourth embodiment is an enlarged version of the previous
embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 with the side cover plate 14
removed and the opening 13 facing upward. As such, it is a storage
box of a different style.
[0032] While certain novel features of this invention have been
shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claim, it is
not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be
understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and
changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in
its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without
departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.
* * * * *