U.S. patent application number 13/479247 was filed with the patent office on 2012-09-13 for collapsible storage box.
Invention is credited to PEI-CHUAN MA.
Application Number | 20120228367 13/479247 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46794615 |
Filed Date | 2012-09-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120228367 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MA; PEI-CHUAN |
September 13, 2012 |
COLLAPSIBLE STORAGE BOX
Abstract
The collapsible storage box contains two rigid lateral plates,
two flexible longitudinal plates, a flexible first base plate
connecting the longitudinal and lateral plates' bottom rims, and a
rigid second base plate stitched or adhered to a top side of the
first base plate along a longitudinal middle section of the second
base plate. A rigid support plate is connected to the top rim of
each longitudinal plate. To put the storage box to use, the lateral
and longitudinal plates are raised and the two support plates are
flipped downward so that their bottom rims are pressed against the
second base plate. When the storage box is not in use, the support
plates are flipped outward and, by the flexibility of the two
longitudinal plates, the lateral plates are folded inward. The
storage box then turns into a flat shape for easy storage and
transportation.
Inventors: |
MA; PEI-CHUAN; (Taipei City,
TW) |
Family ID: |
46794615 |
Appl. No.: |
13/479247 |
Filed: |
May 23, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12750684 |
Mar 30, 2010 |
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13479247 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
229/117.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/3635 20130101;
B65D 5/3607 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
229/117.01 |
International
Class: |
B65D 5/36 20060101
B65D005/36 |
Claims
1. A collapsible storage box, comprising: two rigid lateral plates
where one of said lateral plates has an opening and a side cover
plate connecting said lateral plate along the top edge of said
opening; two flexible longitudinal plates; a flexible first base
plate connecting the bottom rims of said longitudinal and lateral
plates; a flexible top cover plate connecting the top rims of said
longitudinal and lateral plates; a rigid second base plate on top
of said first base plate partially fixed to said first base plate
along a longitudinal middle section of said second base plate,
leaving 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 longitudinal plates,
respectively, where two flexible extensions are extended from the
top rims of said support plates, respectively; wherein, to use said
collapsible storage box, said lateral and longitudinal plates are
raised and said support plates are flipped downward so that the
bottom rims of said lateral plates and said support plates are
pressed against said second base plate, and said extensions are
inserted beneath said second base plate; and, as such, a storage
room for various objects is formed; and, when said collapsible
storage box is not in use, said support plates are flipped outward
and, by the flexibility of said two longitudinal plates, said
lateral plates are folded inward and said support plates are
flipped inward and stacked so that said collapsible storage box
turns into a flat shape for easy storage and transportation.
2. The collapsible storage box according to claim 1, wherein
corresponding fastening elements are provided on said lateral 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.
3. A collapsible storage box, comprising: two rigid lateral plates
where one of said lateral plates has an opening and a side cover
plate connecting said lateral plate along the top edge of said
opening; two flexible longitudinal plates; a rigid first base plate
connecting the bottom rims of said longitudinal and lateral plates;
a rigid top cover plate connecting the top rims of said
longitudinal and lateral plates; a second base plate having a
lateral edge connected to the top rim of a lateral plate opposite
to said opening, said second base plate bendable along a lateral
line; and two rigid support plates connected to the top rims of
said longitudinal plates, respectively; wherein, to use said
collapsible storage box, said lateral and longitudinal plates are
raised and said support plates are flipped downward and said second
base plate is pushed inward into an L shape supporting a lateral
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 box 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 longitudinal plates are flexible and folded inward, said
support plates are then closed and stacked, turning said storage
box into a flat shape.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of the co-pending
patent application No. 12/750,684, owned by the same applicant.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to collapsible
boxes, and more particular to a collapsible storage box that could
take shape easily and folded into a flat shape for easy storage and
transportation.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0003] A conventional storage box 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 box 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
[0004] As such, a novel collapsible storage box is provided herein.
The storage box 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 more convenient.
[0005] The collapsible storage box contains two rigid lateral
plates, two flexible longitudinal plates, a flexible first base
plate connecting the longitudinal and lateral plates' bottom rims,
and a rigid second base plate stitched or adhered to a top side of
the first base plate along a longitudinal middle section of the
second base plate. A rigid support plate is connected to the top
rim of each longitudinal plate, and a flexible extension is
extended for an appropriate length from the top rim of each support
plate. To put the storage box to use, the lateral and longitudinal
plates are raised and the two support plates are flipped downward
so that their bottom rims are pressed against the second base
plate, thereby foming a storage room for various objects. When the
storage box is not in use, the support plates are flipped outward
and, by the flexibility of the two longitudinal plates, the lateral
plates are folded inward. The storage box then turns into a flat
shape for easy storage and transportation.
[0006] The two rigid lateral plates and the two rigid support
plates are made by wrapping flexible cloth around rigid objects
such as cardboards.
[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 diagram showing a collapsible
storage box according to a first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective schematic diagram showing the
collapsible storage box of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a profile schematic diagram showing the
collapsible storage box of FIG. 2.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged schematic diagram showing the
internal of a support plate of the storage box of FIG. 2.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective diagram showing a collapsible shoe
box according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective schematic diagram showing the
collapsible shoe box of FIG. 5.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective diagram showing a collapsible
storage box according to a third embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] 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.
[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a collapsible storage box
according to a first embodiment of the present invention contains
two rigid lateral plates 1, two flexible longitudinal 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 11 is configured in one of the lateral
plates 1 and a side cover plate 12 is connected to the lateral
plate 1 along the top edge of the opening 11. Corresponding
fastening elements 14 and 13 are configured on the lateral plate 1
along the bottom edge of the opening 13 and the side cover plate
12, respectively, so as to fix the side cover plate 12 when it
seals the opening 11. A rigid second base plate 4 is stitched or
adhered to a top side of the first base plate 3 along a middle
longitudinal section of the second base plate 4. 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 longitudinal plate 2. In turn, a flexible extension 53 is
extended for an appropriate length from the top rim of each support
plate 5. With the foregoing arrangement, a collapsible storage box
is achieved. To use the storage box, the lateral and longitudinal
plates 1 and 2 are raised and, by threading hand into the box
through the opening 11, the support plates 5 are flipped downward
to attach to the inner sides of the longitudinal plates 2 and the
second base plate 4 provides support to and presses against the
bottom rims of the lateral plates 1 and the extensions 53 of the
support plates 5, thereby forming a stable storage room where shoes
or other objects could be placed inside through the opening 11. By
the fastening elements 13 and 14, the opening 11 is reliably sealed
by the side cover plate 12. When the storage box is not in use, the
side cover plate 12 is opened and, by threading hand through the
opening 11 inside, the support plates 5 are flipped upward and the
lateral plates 1 could be closed inward as the longitudinal plates
2 are flexible and could be wrinkled. After the lateral plates 1
are closed inward, the two support plates 5 are then closed and
stacked on top of the second base plate 4.
[0018] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, 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 53 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.
[0019] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a collapsible storage box
according to a second embodiment of the present invention contains
two rigid lateral plates 1, two flexible longitudinal plates 2, a
rigid first base plate 3 connecting the bottom rims of the
longitudinal and lateral plates 1 and 2, and a rigid top cover
plate 6 connecting the top rims of the longitudinal and lateral
plates 1 and 2. An opening 11 is configured in one of the lateral
plates 1 and a side cover plate 12 is connected to the lateral
plate 1 along the top edge of the opening 11. A second base plate 4
has a lateral edge connected to a top rim of the lateral plate 1
opposite to the opening 11. The second base plate 4 could be bended
along a lateral line 41. A rigid support plate 5 is connected to
the top rim of each longitudinal plate 2.
[0020] With the foregoing arrangement, a collapsible shoe box is
achieved. To use the shoe box, the lateral and longitudinal plates
1 and 2 are raised and, by threading hand into the box through the
opening 11, the support plates 5 are flipped downward and the
second base plate 4 is pushed inward into an L shape supporting a
lateral plate 1 and the first base plate 3, thereby forming a
stable storage room where shoes could be placed inside through the
opening 11 and sealed by the side cover plate 12. When the shoe box
is not in use, the side cover plate 12 is opened and, by threading
hand through the opening 11 inside, the support plates 5 are
flipped upward and the second base plate 4 is pulled outward. As
the longitudinal 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.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 7, a collapsible storage box according to a
third embodiment is an enlarged version of the previous second
embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 with the side cover plate 12
removed and the opening 11 facing upward. To use the storage box,
by threading hand into the box through the opening 11, the support
plates 5 are flipped downward and the second base plate 4 is pushed
inward into an L shape supporting a lateral plate 1 and the first
base plate 3, thereby forming a storage box of a different
style.
[0022] 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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