Self-locking Caddy With Unique Suspension Means

Abstract

A plastic, integrally formed caddy comprising a rear panel, a base, a front panel, a pair of side panels, and hinge lines for joining the panels and the base together. Channels on the base and the rear panel seat the edges of the side panels for proper alignment therebetween. Locking tabs and guiding tabs at the free ends of the side panels fit into slots in the rear panel to hold the caddy in erected position. One side panel has two spaced projections for holding a writing implement. Suspension means are integrally formed within a recess in the rear panel of the caddy. After the caddy has been erected, the suspension means are severed from the rear panel and are secured to a flat surface. The caddy is then engaged with, and suspended from, said suspension means.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The instant invention relates to a self-locking plastic caddy with unique, integrally formed suspension means for mounting said caddy.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Known caddies, litter bags, or refuse receptacles, have been fabricated and assembled in sizes and shapes too numerous to enumerate. Seemingly, the most widely used configuration of such caddies is the plastic pouch which has a circular aperture in its rear wall. The pouch is most frequently mounted by slipping the aperture over a knob on the door or instrument panel in an automobile. When so mounted, the pouch may receive maps, small personal items, glasses, litter, etc.

The plastic pouch, however, has a very limited capacity. When used as a litter bag, the pouch readily becomes soiled and cannot readily be cleaned. Because the pouch is frequently mounted in a conspicuous position on the instrument panel of a vehicle, persons entering or exiting the vehicle may frequently brush against the pouch and accidently spill its contents.

Other conventional caddies, litter bags or refuse receptacles assume the form of paperboard receptacles that are shipped or stored in a knocked-down condition, but are readily assembled by interlocking tongues and slots into a rigid container. U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,926,834, Kaslow and 2,971,688, Akers, are illustrative of such paperboard receptacles.

Such paperboard receptacles possess greater capacity than the pouches of similar size. Additionally, the paperboard receptacles can be mounted in various positions by utilizing diverse securing means such as adhesive strips, nails, string, etc.

Paperboard receptacles, however, cannot be washed clean, for contact with liquids leads to their disintegration. Additionally, the paperboard receptacles posses limited structural rigidity, are easily torn and are relatively short-lived in nature.

SUMMARY

Thus, with the deficiencies of the prior art plastic pouches and paperboard receptacles enumerated above clearly in mind, the instant invention contemplates an inexpensive, integrally molded, self-locking plastic blank that can be shipped in a flattened condition and can be easily erected into a rigid, substantially rectangular caddy. The caddy can be easily cleaned, is sturdy in construction, has external projections adapted to receive a writing implement, has a substantial capacity for a receptacle of its size, and can be suspended in an inaccessible position that does not interfere with the normal entrance to, and exit from, a motor vehicle.

Other objects and advantages of the instant invention, such as its attractive appearance and the ease with which decals, calendars, corporate logos, and advertising materials can be applied to its front panel, will become apparent in light of the following description of the invention when construed in connection with the accompanying sheets of drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the blank from which the instant self-locking caddy is erected;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating successive steps in the erection of the caddy;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the erected caddy;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the erected caddy and the integrally formed suspension means prior to severance of the suspension means from the caddy blank;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the integrally formed suspension means, such view being taken along line 5--5 in FIG. 4 and in the direction indicated;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of the suspension means;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the suspension means after severance from the caddy, such view illustrating the caddy engaging the suspension means, and being suspended therebelow; and

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of engagement of the caddy with the suspension means, such view being taken along line 8--8 in FIG. 7 and in the direction indicated.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now in greater detail to the drawings wherein identical reference numerals refer to identical elements, FIG. 1 depicts the plastic, integrally formed blank from which the instant self-locking caddy is erected. As is readily apparent, the blank can be shipped or stored in a flattened condition. The blank, which is identified generally by reference numeral 10, comprises a rear panel 12, a base 14, a front panel 16, and a pair of spaced side panels 18 and 20. Hinge line 22 separates panel 12 from base 14, while hinge line 24 separates panel 16 from base 14. Side panels 18 and 20 are separated from rear panel 18 by hinge lines 26 and 28, respectively.

Locking tab 30 and guide tab 32 are formed at the free end of panel 18, and locking tab 34 and guide tab 36 are formed at the free end of panel 20. Slots 38 and 40 adjacent one edge of panel 12 receive tabs 30 and 32, respectively, and slots 42 and 44 adjacent the opposite edge of the panel receive tabs 34 and 36, respectively, when the blank is erected. A pair of spaced ribs 46, 48 define a channel 50 therebetween adjacent to one edge of base 14, and a second pair of spaced ribs 52, 54 define a channel 56 therebetween adjacent the other edge of the base. An elongated pair of spaced ribs 58, 60 define a channel 62 therebetween adjacent to one edge of panel 12 and another elongated pair of spaced ribs 64, 66 define a channel 68 therebetween adjacent to the opposite edge of panel 12. Slots 38 and 40 are situated within channel 62 while slots 42 and 44 are situated within channel 68. The width of channels 50, 56, 62 and 64 is slightly greater than the thickness of panels 18 and 20 so that such panels can be received therein.

A rectangular cut-out 70 which opens into a shallow triangular recess 72 is formed in rear panel 12. Integrally formed suspension means, indicated generally by reference numeral 74, is located within cut-out 70 and is joined to the panel by struts 76 and 78.

FIG. 2 shows the manner in which blank 10 is erected. Initially, side panels 18 and 20 are pivoted about hinge lines 26 and 28, respectively, into a vertical plane, as indicated by appropriate directional arrows in FIG. 2. Secondly, panel 16 and erected side panels 18 and 20 are pivoted about hinge line 24 into a vertical plane, as indicated by appropriate directional arrows. The bottom edges of panels 18 and 20 are received within channels 50 and 52, respectively, on base 14, thus insuring proper alignment between the panels and the base.

Thirdly, rear panel 12 is pivoted about hinge line 22 into a vertical plane so that locking tabs 30 and 34 can be slipped into slots 38 and 42, respectively. The locking tabs open downwardly so that the width of panel 12 can be trapped therein, as shown in FIG. 3. Fourthly, guide tabs 32 and 36 are slipped through slots 40 and 44, respectively, so that the rear edges of the guide tabs extend beyond the corners formed by flaps 18 and 20 and rear panel 12. The free edges of the guide tabs act as camming surfaces as they are moved within channels 62 and 68 and momentarily deform rear panel 12. The inherent resiliency of plastic panel 12 causes it to quickly return to its unstressed condition and snap into firm locking engagement with locking tabs 30 and 34. Channels 62 and 68 receive the vertically extending edges of panels 18 and 20 and maintain proper alignment between the components.

FIG. 3 depicts the caddy into its erected position. Flaps 18 and 20 are widest at their upper edge and taper gradually inwardly along their vertical extent. Projections 80 and 82 are spaced along flap 20 so as to accommodate a writing implement. Rear panel 12 extends a considerable distance above front panel 16.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the erected caddy showing its attractive surface ornamentation for aesthetic appeal and the large volume of usable space afforded by the caddy. Suspension means 74 is still retained within cut-out 70 in rear panel 12 by struts 76 and 78.

FIG. 5 illustrates integrally formed suspension means 74 prior to severance from panel 12, and FIG. 6 illustrates the suspension means after severance from the panel. FIG. 6 shows the suspension means rotated 180.degree. from its position in FIG. 5. Examined in detail, suspension means 74 comprises a rectangular base 86 with a horizontally extending arm 88 and a vertically extending leg 90 projecting therefrom. Arms 88 and leg 90 function as a hook to suspend the caddy, and the horizontal extent of arm 88 is sufficient to easily accommodate the width of panel 12. Arm 88 tapers upwardly at both sides toward apex 91 at its mid-point, thus tracing a shallow triangular shape. Fillet 92 increases the strength of the hook, and an aperture 94 is formed in base 86 that is identical in shape and size to leg 90. A tacky strip of adhesive tape 96 extends along one surface of base 86, and a protective strip 98 normally covers tape 96.

FIGS. 7-8 show the manner in which suspension means 74 mount the instant caddy. Suspension means 74 are freed from cutout 70 in panel 12 by severing struts 76, 78 with a knife. Then, after selecting a suitable location to mount the caddy, protective strip 98 is removed from the suspension means and tape 96 is firmly pressed against the flat surface at the selected location. Arm 88 and leg 90 then extend away from the flat surface and the caddy is suspended therefrom by engaging the walls of recess 72 with arm 88. The contour of the walls defining recess 72 conform to the shallow triangular configuration of arm 88 with its apex at 91, so that the caddy is stable and does not tilt to one side or the other as items are placed therein.

The caddy has great utility in boats, automobiles, trucks, campers, as well as in the office, garage, kitchen, workshop, etc. The caddy can hold a great variety of items such as maps, sunglasses, pens, handtools, brushes, manuals, warranty certificates, dustcloths, make-up, mail, receipts, chamois, napkins, litter, etc. Accordingly, since numerous modifications of the invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative in nature and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A plastic, self-locking caddy comprising:

a. a base,

b. a front panel, a rear panel, and a pair of side panels integrally formed with said base, said base and all of said panels resting in the same plane prior to erection of the caddy,

c. integrally formed hinge means joining said front and rear panels to said base and said side panels to said front panel,

d. integrally formed locking tabs situated at the free edges of said side panels,

e. integrally formed guide tabs situated at the free edges of said side panels,

f. camming surfaces formed on said guide tabs,

g. said rear panel having a pair of vertically spaced slots formed adjacent to each one of its free vertically extending edges,

h. said camming surfaces momentarily flexing at least one of said panels as said panels are snapped together for retention in erected condition by the engagement of said locking tabs with said rear panel, and

i. integrally formed suspension means, said suspension means being severed from the caddy prior to usage.

2. A plastic caddy as defined in claim 1 wherein said rear panel has a rectangular cut-out defined therein, and said caddy further comprises integrally formed suspension means located within the walls defining said cut-out and joined to said rear panel by thin plastic struts.

3. A plastic caddy as defined in claim 2 wherein said suspension means comprises a base, hook means extending outwardly from one side of said base, and adhesive mounting means secured to the opposite side of said base.

4. A plastic caddy with suspension means as defined in claim 3 wherein said hook means includes a horizontally extending arm, a vertically extending leg, and a fillet extending between said base and said arm to reinforce same, and a cover strip normally protects said adhesive mounting means.

5. A plastic caddy with suspension means as defined in claim 4 wherein said rear panel further includes a recess opening outwardly into said cut-out, and the shape of said arm corresponds to the contour of one of the walls defining the recess, so that the caddy can be suspended from said arm in a stable position.

6. A plastic caddy as defined in claim 1 further including spaced projections are formed on the exterior of one of said side panels, said projections enabling a writing implement to be secured to the erected caddy.

7. A plastic caddy as defined in claim 1 further including a first pair of spaced ribs adjacent to one edge of said base and a second pair of spaced ribs located adjacent to the opposite edge of said base, said first pair of ribs defining a first channel and said second pair of ribs defining a second channel, the width of said channels being slightly greater than the thickness of said side panels.

8. A plastic caddy as defined in claim 1 further including a first pair of spaced elongated ribs adjacent to one edge of said rear panel and a second pair of spaced elongated ribs adjacent to the opposite edge of said rear panel, said first pair of ribs defining a first channel and said second pair of ribs defining a second channel, the width of said channels being slightly greater than the thickness of said side panels.