U.S. patent application number 13/007993 was filed with the patent office on 2012-07-19 for multifunctional storage box.
Invention is credited to PEI-CHUAN MA.
Application Number | 20120181904 13/007993 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46490266 |
Filed Date | 2012-07-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120181904 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MA; PEI-CHUAN |
July 19, 2012 |
MULTIFUNCTIONAL STORAGE BOX
Abstract
A multifunctional storage box includes a frame-like elementary
unit composed of two horizontal boards and two vertical boards and
a positioning piece fit to an end of the elementary unit. Each
vertical board includes first and board segments that are connected
to each other by a movable connection member. The elementary unit
has an end forming a positioning structure, whereby the positioning
piece is selectively fit to the positioning structure to form a box
for receiving and storing various articles, or a number of such
boxes can be stacked to form a piece of furniture, such as drawer,
closet and desk. No tool is required and the assembling is easy and
convenient. When not in use, the positioning piece is removed to
allow the first and second board segments to be folded by means of
the connection member into a flat configuration for easy carrying
and storage.
Inventors: |
MA; PEI-CHUAN; (Taipei City,
TW) |
Family ID: |
46490266 |
Appl. No.: |
13/007993 |
Filed: |
January 17, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/108 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 67/04 20130101;
A47B 87/0207 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/108 |
International
Class: |
A47B 87/02 20060101
A47B087/02; A47B 47/00 20060101 A47B047/00 |
Claims
1. A multifunctional storage box, comprising an elementary unit
comprising two horizontal boards and two vertical boards and a
positioning piece fit to an end of the elementary unit, wherein
each of the vertical boards comprises a first board segment and a
second board segment, a movable connection member coupling between
the first and second board segments, the elementary unit having an
end forming a positioning structure to receive a positioning piece
to fit thereto to form the multifunctional storage box, which is
adapted to receive and store various article, or is stackable in
multiplicity to form a piece of furniture, such as drawer, closet,
and desk, or allows the positioning piece to be removed and the
first and second board segments be folded by means of the movable
connection member into a flat configuration for easy carrying and
storage.
2. The multifunctional storage box according to claim 1, wherein
connection member coupling between the first board segment and the
second board segment of the vertical board comprises a hinge.
3. The multifunctional storage box according to claim 1, wherein
the positioning structure comprises a notch formed in an end of one
horizontal board, a slide slot formed in and vertically extending
along an inside surface of each of the vertical boards at a
location corresponding to the notch, and mounting holes
corresponding to the notch, the positioning piece having a top edge
forming a flat flange substantially aligning the notch, the flat
flange forming through holes corresponding to the mounting holes,
whereby with the positioning piece being received and vertically
sliding down along the slide slots, pins are received through the
through holes and fit into the mounting holes to secure the
positioning piece in position.
4. The multifunctional storage box according to claim 1, wherein
the positioning structure comprises steps formed at ends of the
horizontal boards and the vertical boards and symmetrically
arranged fitting grooves formed in the steps to receive a flat
board like positioning piece to be first positioned on the steps
and then receive retention pieces to fit into the fitting grooves
for holding corners of the positioning piece and thereby retaining
the positioning piece in position.
Description
(a) TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to a multifunctional
storage box, and more particularly to a multifunctional storage box
that, after being properly assembled, can receive and store various
articles, or can be stacked in multiplicity to form a piece of
furniture, such as drawer, closet, and desk, or can be folded into
a flat configuration for easy carrying and storage when not in
use.
(b) DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0002] A storage box that functions to receive and store articles
therein is often composed of a basic frame made of wood or plastics
and a plurality of shelves that forms storage spaces for receiving
and storing articles. The conventional storage box, although
allowing a user to assemble by himself or herself is of a fixed
structure that prevents the box to be folded when not in use so
that the storage box occupies a large amount of space and is
difficult to carry. Although disassembling the storage box may be
helpful in addressing these problems, yet it would be a tedious job
for re-assembling is time consuming. Further, the conventional
storage box is often used as an individual stand-alone device and
cannot be stacked or juxtaposed in multiplicity to show a different
form of utility. The present invention thus aims to provide an
improved storage box structure that can be used as a stand-alone
device or can be stacked in multiplicity to show another form of
utility.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] An objective of the present invention is to provide a
multifunctional storage box, which after being properly assembled,
can receive and store various articles, or alternatively be stacked
in multiplicity to form a piece of furniture, such as drawer,
closet, and desk, or further alternatively, be folded to a flat
configuration to facilitate carrying and storage when not in
use.
[0004] The multifunctional storage box comprises a frame-like
elementary unit composed of two horizontal boards and two vertical
boards and a positioning piece fit to an end of the elementary
unit. The two vertical boards are each composed of first and board
segments that are connected to each other. The first and second
board segments comprise a movable connection member coupling
therebetween. The elementary unit has an end forming a positioning
structure, whereby the positioning piece is selectively fit to the
positioning structure to form a box for receiving and storing
various articles, or alternatively, a number of such boxes can be
stacked to form a piece of furniture, such as drawer, closet and
desk. No tool is required and the assembling is easy and
convenient. When not in use, the positioning piece can be removed
to allow the first and second board segments to be folded by means
of the connection member into a flat configuration for easy
carrying and storage.
[0005] In the previously discussed structure of multifunctional
storage box, the positioning structure of the elementary unit
comprises a notch formed in an end of one horizontal board, a slide
slot formed in and vertically extending along an inside surface of
each of the vertical boards at a location corresponding to the
notch, and mounting holes corresponding to the notch. The
positioning piece has a top edge forming a flat flange
substantially aligning the notch. The flat flange forms through
holes corresponding to the mounting holes, whereby with the
positioning piece being received and vertically sliding down along
the slide slots, pins are received through the through holes and
fit into the mounting holes to secure the positioning piece in
position.
[0006] In the previously discussed structure of multifunctional
storage box, the positioning structure of the elementary unit
comprises steps formed at ends of the horizontal boards and the
vertical boards and symmetrically arranged fitting grooves formed
in the steps to receive a flat board like positioning piece to be
first positioned on the steps and then receive retention pieces to
fit into the fitting grooves for holding corners of the positioning
piece and thereby retaining the positioning piece in position.
[0007] 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.
[0008] 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
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment
according to the present invention.
[0010] FIGS. 2 and 3 demonstrate an application of the first
embodiment according to the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 4 demonstrates another application of the first
embodiment according to the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 5 demonstrates a further application of the first
embodiment according to the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 6 demonstrates yet a further application of the first
embodiment according to the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment
according to the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment
according to the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a third embodiment
according to the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 10 demonstrates an application of the third embodiment
according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] 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.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, which is a perspective view showing a
first embodiment according to the present invention, the present
invention comprises a rectangular frame like elementary unit 1
composed of two horizontal boards 11 and two vertical boards 12 and
a positioning piece 2 fit to an end of the elementary unit 1. The
vertical board 12 comprises a first board segment 121 and a second
board segment 122 that are connected to each other. The first and
second board segments 121, 122 comprise movable connection members
3 connecting therebetween and in the instant embodiment, the
connection member 3 comprises a hinge or other movable connection
elements.
[0020] The elementary unit 1 has an end forming a positioning
structure 4. In the first embodiment, the positioning structure 4
comprises a notch 111 formed in an end of one horizontal board 11,
a slide slot 13 formed in and vertically extending along an inside
surface of each of the vertical boards 12 at a location
corresponding to the notch 111, and mounting holes 14 corresponding
to the notch. The positioning structure 4 comprises a positioning
piece 2, which has a top edge forming a flat flange 21
substantially aligning the notch 111. The flat flange 21 forms
through holes 22 corresponding to the mounting holes 14, whereby
with the positioning piece 2 being received and vertically sliding
down along the slide slots 13, pins 23 are received through the
through holes 22 and fit into the mounting holes 14 to secure the
positioning piece 2 in position.
[0021] Through assembling the above discussed components, a
multifunctional storage box is formed for receiving and storing
therein various articles. Alternatively, a number of such storage
boxes can be stacked to form a piece of furniture, such as a
drawer, a closet, and a desk, without use of any tool, whereby the
assembling is simplified. When not in use, the positioning piece 2
can be removed, and with the aid of the movable connection members
3, the first and second board segments 121, 122 can be folded
inward to form a flat configuration, which helps carrying and
storage.
[0022] Also referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, an application of the first
embodiment is demonstrated. As shown in the drawings, after being
assembled, the storage box of the present invention may receive and
retain therein a rack 5, on which various articles (as shown in
FIG. 2) can be placed. Or, alternatively, the storage box may
receive and retain therein a suspension frame 6 for storing glasses
7 in a suspended fashion.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 4, another application of the first
embodiment of the present invention is demonstrated. As shown in
the drawing, after properly assembled, a plurality of storage boxes
according to the present invention can be stacked and fixed
together and additional storage boxes that are of a different size
and provided with a handle are respectively received in the stacked
storage boxes to form a plurality of drawers. As such, a chest of a
desired height can be formed, of which the storage boxes that serve
as the drawers may receive and storage clothes or other articles
therein.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 5, a further application of the first
embodiment according to the present invention is demonstrated. As
shown in the drawing, a storage box according to the present
invention that is made of a large size is formed in edges of an
opening thereof with recessed channels 15, and a T-shaped
positioning strip 16 is selectively fit into each of the recessed
channels 15. A plurality of pins 23 is inserted through the storage
box and the positioning strips 16 to structurally support the
storage box for serving as a closet, whereby clothes or accessory
of clothes can be suspended in the storage box that serves as a
closet.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 6, a further application of the first
embodiment according to the present invention is demonstrated. As
shown, after properly assembled, a number of the storage boxes
according to the present invention can be stacked and fixed
together. Additional storage boxes of a different size and provided
with a handle are respectively received in the stacked storage
boxes to serve as drawers. A top board 8 may then be positioned on
and supported by two stacks of the storage boxes to form a
desk.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a perspective view and a
cross-sectional view of a second embodiment according to the
present invention are shown. As shown in the drawings, the
positioning structure 4 of the elementary unit 1 according to the
present invention can be arranged to form steps 112, 123 at ends of
the horizontal boards 11 and the vertical boards 12 of the
elementary unit 1 and also forming symmetrically arranged fitting
grooves 113, 124 in the steps 112, 123 to receive a flat board like
positioning piece 2 to be first positioned on the steps 112, 123
and then receive retention pieces 9 to fit into the fitting grooves
113, 124 for holding corners of the positioning piece and thereby
retaining the positioning piece 2 in position.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a perspective view of a third
embodiment according to the present invention and an application
thereof are respectively shown. As shown in the drawings, an
L-shaped retention piece 10 is selectively applied to secure and
fix each corner of the elementary unit 1 according to the present
invention, thereby making the elementary unit 1 an open hollow
rectangular frame. A number of such elementary units 1 are then
stacked vertically and juxtaposed horizontally to thereby form a
hollow article support rack having open front and rear sides.
[0028] In summary, the present invention comprises an elementary
unit composed of horizontal boards and vertical boards,
incorporating with positioning pieces attached to the elementary
unit, to form a multifunctional storage box, which after proper
assembling, may receive and store various articles therein, or
alternatively, a number of such storage boxes may be stacked to
form a piece of furniture, such as drawer, closet, and desk. When
not in use, the storage box can be folded to a flat configuration
for easy carrying and storage.
[0029] It will be understood that each of the elements described
above, or two or more together may also find a useful application
in other types of methods differing from the type described
above.
[0030] 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.
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