INTERLOCKING BASKET SYSTEM

Abstract

In one embodiment, a storage container is disclosed. The storage container includes a plurality of sidewalls and a bottom wall operably coupled to the plurality of sidewalls. The bottom wall and the plurality of sidewalls together define a storage cavity. A storage container also includes a support bracket that transitions from a first position where the support bracket is contained within an exterior perimeter of the bottom wall to a second position where the support bracket extends past the exterior perimeter of the bottom wall. The support bracket may be used to support the storage container on an adjacent storage container, such that the storage container can be nested within an adjacent storage container or positioned above the adjacent storage container.

Claims

1. A storage container comprising: a plurality of sidewalls; a bottom wall operably coupled to the plurality of sidewalls, wherein the bottom wall and the plurality of sidewalls together define a storage cavity; and a support bracket operably coupled to the bottom wall, wherein the support bracket transitions from a first position wherein the support bracket is contained within an exterior perimeter of the bottom wall to a second position wherein the support bracket extends past the exterior perimeter of the bottom wall.

2. The storage container of claim 1, wherein the support bracket comprises at least one coupling feature configured to secure the support bracket to another storage container.

3. The storage container of claim 1, wherein the support bracket comprises a stop that defines a maximum length of movement of the support bracket from the first position to the second position.

4. The storage container of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sidewalls comprise a back wall and a front wall, wherein the front wall has a height that is lower than a height of the back wall.

5. The storage container of claim 1, further comprising a bottom edge operably coupled to the plurality of sidewalls and the bottom wall, wherein the bottom edge defines in part a support surface for the storage container.

6. The storage container of claim 5, wherein the bottom edge comprises a bracket cutout and the support bracket is at least partially received within the bracket cutout.

7. The storage container of claim 6, wherein in the first position, an outer surface of the support bracket extends across and at least partially fills the bracket cutout.

8. The storage container of claim 1, further comprising a first guide wall and a second guide wall coupled to the bottom wall, wherein the first guide wall and the second guide wall define a movement path for the support bracket between the first position and the second position.

9. A storage system comprising: a first storage container comprising a first support bracket that moves between a retracted position and a deployed position; and a second storage container defining a storage cavity, wherein: when the first support bracket is in the retracted position, the first storage container is stackable on the second storage container such that the first storage container is nested at least partially within the storage cavity of the second storage container; and when the first support bracket is in the deployed position, the first storage container is stackable on the second storage container such that the first storage container is positioned above the storage cavity of the second storage container.

10. The storage system of claim 9, wherein in the deployed position, the first support bracket secures the first storage container to the second storage container.

11. The storage system of claim 10, wherein in the deployed position the first support bracket couples to an outer rim of the second storage container.

12. The storage system of claim 9, wherein in the retracted position, the first support bracket is inset within an exterior perimeter of a bottom edge of first storage container and in the deployed position the first support bracket extends outside of the exterior perimeter of the bottom edge of the first storage container.

13. The storage system of claim 9, wherein the second storage container comprises an outer rim, wherein the first support bracket is configured to securely couple to the outer rim of the second storage container in the deployed position.

14. The storage system of claim 13, wherein the first support bracket comprises a coupling feature configured to receive a portion of the outer rim.

15. The storage system of claim 9, wherein: the first storage container further comprises a securing member extending from a bottom edge; and the second storage container further comprises a securing aperture defined in an upper portion of the second storage container, wherein the securing member is configured to be received within the securing aperture when the first storage container is positioned above the storage cavity of the second storage container.

16. The storage system of claim 9, wherein the first support bracket further comprises a stop element configured to limit a movement path of the first support bracket.

17. A storage container comprising: a front wall; a rear wall; a first sidewall; a second sidewall; and a bottom wall, wherein the front wall, the rear wall, the first sidewall, and the second sidewall are coupled to the bottom wall and collectively define a storage compartment; a support bracket coupled to the bottom wall and movable between a retracted position and a deployed position, wherein in the retracted position the support bracket is inset within an outer perimeter of the bottom wall and in the deployed position the support bracket extends past the outer perimeter of the bottom wall.

18. The storage container of claim 17, wherein the support bracket is configured to support the storage container above another storage container.

19. The storage container of claim 17, wherein the support bracket further comprises a coupling feature configured to engage a portion of another storage container.

20. The storage container of claim 17, further comprising a bottom edge extending from the bottom wall and a securing feature defined within the bottom edge for securing the storage container to another storage container.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1A is a front isometric view of a storage container.

[0021] FIG. 1B is a rear isometric view of the storage container.

[0022] FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of the storage container as shown in FIG. 1B.

[0023] FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of the storage container as shown in FIG. 1B.

[0024] FIG. 3A is a bottom isometric view of the storage container.

[0025] FIG. 3B is a bottom plan view of the storage container.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a front isometric view of a system of nested storage containers.

[0027] FIG. 5A is a front isometric view of the storage container with a support bracket extended into a deployed position.

[0028] FIG. 5B is an enlarged bottom isometric view of the storage container of FIG. 5A.

[0029] FIG. 6 is a front isometric view of a system of stacked storage containers.

[0030] FIG. 7A is an enlarged view of the system of stacked storage containers.

[0031] FIG. 7B is another enlarged view of the system of stacked storage containers.

[0032] FIG. 8 is another enlarged view of the system of stacked storage containers.

[0033] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a pattern for a storage container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Various embodiments include a storage container stackable in multiple configurations, e.g., a nested configuration and a stacked configuration. The storage container may include one or more support brackets that move between a first or retracted position and a second or deployed position. In the retracted position the support bracket may be inset or positioned within an exterior perimeter of the storage container, e.g., arranged to be aligned with or interior of an outer wall or bottom edge of the storage container. In the deployed position the support bracket may extend past the exterior perimeter of the storage container, e.g., arranged to extend past the outer wall or outer edge of the storage container.

[0035] The support bracket may include a coupling feature, e.g., one or more grooves or tangs, configured to couple the support bracket to another storage container. For example, in one embodiment, the support bracket may include a groove configured to receive an outer rim of another storage container. In these instances, the support bracket may couple the storage container to be arranged above the other storage container, e.g., in a manner that does not substantially decrease a storage volume of the other storage container. In instances where the support bracket is retracted, however, the storage container may be configured to seat at least partially within the other storage container, e.g., nested. In other words, the storage container can be connected, e.g., stacked, with other storage containers, in two or more configurations, where one configuration may be configured to increase or maximize the storage volume accessible in a bottom storage container and one configuration may be configured to decrease the storage volume accessible and reduce the overall height and/or volume of the stacked storage containers.

[0036] In one example, the storage container may include two support brackets that extend from opposing sides, e.g., left and right sides, and may balance and support the storage container when in the stacked configuration. Similarly, the storage container may also include one or more securing features that may be defined on another side of the storage container from the support bracket, e.g., rear side. The securing features may assist in preventing relative movement of the storage container to an adjacently stacked storage container.

[0037] The various stackable configurations allow a volume of two or more storage containers to be reduced for storage, shipping, and/or display, without requiring substantial modification of the storage containers after assembly. For example, conventional shipping solutions that reduce volume may require assembly of the storage container for use at the end point (such as at a user's house), which can be difficult and time consuming. On the contrary, the present disclosure allows the storage containers to be easily and quickly compacted for storage, shipping, display on a shelf, or the like, and readily and easily deployed for use, without requiring assembly of the product.

[0038] Turning now to the figures, the storage container and storage system will be discussed in more detail. FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate front and rear isometric views, respectively, of a storage container 100. The storage container 100 may include one or more walls 102a, 102b, 102c, and/or 102d that define a storage cavity 104. For example, there may be two sidewalls 102a, 102b, a front wall 102c, and a back or rear wall 102d, each of which may be coupled to one another. In some embodiments, the walls 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d may have a similar height and/or width, but in other embodiments the walls 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d may have varying dimensions. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, in one example, the front wall 102c may have a reduced height as compared to the other walls 102a, 102b, 102d, which may allow easier access to the interior storage cavity 104 from a front side of the storage container 100. However, in other embodiments, the walls 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d may be differently configured, e.g., the back wall 102d may also have a lower height as compared to the sidewalls 102a, 102b.

[0039] The walls 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d may optionally be formed of a weave or basket pattern that may provide strength at a low weight to the storage container 100 (See FIG. 9). Additionally, the pattern or weave of the walls 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d may be selected to be aesthetically pleasing.

[0040] The walls 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d may terminate at a top edge to define a rim 106 for the storage container 100. The rim 106 may define the top surface or edge of the storage container 100 and in some embodiments may define a maximum perimeter of the storage container 100 in the first configuration. In some embodiments, such as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the rim 106 may have a varied height, e.g., extend along a height of the various walls 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d. For example, the rim 106 may include a transition area 108 where the rim 106 extends from a top height corresponding to the sidewalls 102a, 102b to a lower height corresponding to a top of the front wall 102c. In this manner, the rim 106 may include an angled portion 110 that follows along a cutout or angled portion of the sidewalls 102a, 102b as the height may change from the sidewalls 102a, 102b to the front wall 102c. However, in other implementations, the rim 106 may be configured to have a similar continuous height or multiple other varied heights.

[0041] In some embodiments, the rim 106 may include coupling features, such as one or more grooves or tracks that may receive a coupling or securing element from another storage container 100. More specifically, with reference to FIG. 2A, the rim 106 may include one or more securing features 121a, 121b defined therein. In one example, the securing features 121a, 121b or securing members may be defined as apertures or cutouts in the rim 106 or within one of the walls 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d and be configured to receive securing elements of an adjacent storage container or other elements. In one embodiment, the securing features 121a, 121b may be defined as aligned apertures on the back wall 102d of the storage container 100, but in other configurations may be differently configured.

[0042] In some embodiments, the storage container 100 may include one or more handle apertures 112a, 112b, that may define a gripping area for a person. For example, in one embodiment, the storage container 100 may include two handle apertures 112a, 112b defined in opposing walls, e.g., in sidewalls 102a, 102b. The handle apertures 112a, 112b may be defined as cutouts of any shape, such as oblong oval/ovoid or circular cutouts that allow a user to more easily position his or her hand in a manner to lift, slide, or otherwise move the storage container 100. It should be noted that while the handles in FIGS. 1A and 1B are disclosed as apertures, in other embodiments, griping areas may be otherwise defined, such as shelves, brackets, or the like and may be positioned at other locations on the storage container 100.

[0043] With continued reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the storage container 100 may also include a bottom wall 114 that may define an interior bottom surface of the storage cavity 104. The bottom wall 114 may be coupled to the various vertical walls, e.g., walls 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d.

[0044] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate bottom views of the storage container 100. With reference to FIGS. 2B, 3A, and 3B, a bottom edge 116 may be defined on a bottom end of the walls 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d and be configured to support the storage container 100 on a support surface, such as a floor, counter, shelf, or the like. The bottom edge 116 may define one or more cutouts or recesses along its perimeter. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 3A, the bottom edge 116 may include one or more securing elements 122a, 122b, which may be defined as one or more cutouts to define tangs or tabs that may be configured to be received within corresponding apertures (e.g., 121a and 121b of FIG. 2A) in another storage container 100 or other element. In one example, the securing elements 122a, 122b may be defined as two cutouts that together define a tab portion of the bottom edge 116, but other variations are anticipated. In one embodiment, the securing elements 122a, 122b may be aligned with and adjacent to the back walls 102d of the storage container 100, but other implementations are envisioned as well.

[0045] The bottom edge 116 may also include a bracket cutout 124a, 124b that may be configured to receive a portion of a support bracket. In one example, the bottom edge 116 may include two bracket cutouts 124a, 124b, which may be defined on opposing sides of the bottom edge 116, e.g., adjacent to the two sidewalls 102a, 120b. In the retracted position, an outer surface of the support brackets (discussed below) may fill the cutouts.

[0046] With continued reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the storage container 100 may also include one or more ribs 126a, 126b to provide additional support and rigidity to the storage container 100. In one example, the ribs 126a, 126b may be coupled to the bottom wall 114 and may be configured to extend along a length and/or width of the storage container 100. For example, in one embodiment the ribs 126a, 126b may extend along a width of the storage container 100, such as between the two sidewalls 102a, 102b, but in other configurations may extend along the length or be differently configured (e.g., diagonally), where the number and configuration of the ribs 126a, 126b may depend on the dimensions, material, and configuration of the walls 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d and storage cavity 104.

[0047] The storage container 100 may also include one or more support brackets 120a, 120b that act to support the storage container 100 on a surface or component, such as on an adjacent storage container 100. The support brackets 120a, 120b may be moveable between first and second (or retracted and extended) positions. In one example, the storage container 100 may include two support brackets 120a, 120b positioned adjacent to the sidewalls 102a, 102b, but other configurations are envisioned, e.g., a single support bracket, support brackets extending from the front and/or rear sides or the like. As such, the discussion of any particular configuration is meant as illustrative only.

[0048] The support brackets 120a, 120b may be similar to one another and, in one example, include a bracket body 127 that acts to define a support structure for the storage container 100. The bracket body 127 may be defined as a generally rectangular shaped element and may include one or more stops 128 at a first or interior end. For example, the bracket body 127 may include a stop 128 on each side at the edge or near the first end of the body 127. The stops 128 may be defined as prongs or tangs that may be defined by a cutout or recess within the bracket body 127. The stops 128 act to define an increased width for the bracket body 127 to limit a movement, e.g., horizontal movement, of the bracket body 127. In one example, the stops 128 may be defined as flexible tabs, such as to allow installation of the bracket body 127.

[0049] Additionally, one or more ribs 130 may be defined on another end of the bracket body 127, such as a bottom surface of the bracket body 127. The ribs 130 may include coupling features 132 on an exterior or second end thereof. The coupling features 132 may be defined as grooves or recesses and configured to engage another element, such as the top rim 106, of an adjacent storage container 100 (see, FIGS. 7A and 7B). The ribs 130 may be used to reduce a weight of the support brackets 120a, 120b, while still providing sufficient strength and rigidity to support a weight of the storage container 100. However in other embodiments, the ribs 130 may be omitted and the coupling features 132 may be defined directly on the bracket body 127. The ribs 130, when included, may also define gripping areas, e.g., spaces between adjacent ribs 130, that assist a user in gripping the bracket body 127 to extend, retract, or otherwise manipulate the support brackets 120a, 120b.

[0050] With continued reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the storage container 100 may also include guide walls 138a, 138b that may be positioned adjacent to the support brackets 120a, 120b. The guide walls 138a, 138b may extend along a portion of a length of the bracket body 127 and optionally may include an overhang or lip, such that both lateral and vertical movement of the support bracket 120a, 120b may be constrained by the guide walls 138a, 138b. In one embodiment, there may be two guide walls 138a, 138b along adjacent sides of the bracket body 127, but in other configurations, fewer or more guide walls 138a, 138b may be included.

[0051] With reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B, to assemble the storage container 100, the support brackets 120a, 120b may be coupled to the bottom wall 114. For example, the bracket body 127 may be positioned between and coupled to the guide walls 138a, 138b. More specifically, the stops 128 may be flexed or deformed inwards towards a center of the bracket body 127 and the bracket body 127 may be aligned between the guide walls 138a, 138b and forced towards a center of the bottom wall 114. As the bracket body 127 is moved past the terminal end of the guide walls 138a, 138b, the stops 128 are no longer compressed against the guide walls 138a, 138b and spring outwards, defining a limit on the lateral movement of the bracket body 127. Further, the overhang on the guide walls 138a, 138b helps to define a limit on the vertical movement of the bracket body 126. In this manner, the bracket body 126 is coupled to the bottom wall 114, without requiring separate fasteners or adhesive, which can increase complexity and price of assembly.

[0052] With reference to FIGS. 1A-3B, in a first configuration, the support brackets 120a, 120b may be retracted and sit within a perimeter of the bottom edge 116 of the storage container 100. Further, as shown in FIG. 3A, the support brackets 120a, 120b may be positioned above a terminal edge or bottom surface of the bottom edge 116. For example, the support brackets 120a, 120b may have a thickness that is less than a thickness of the bottom edge 116, e.g., so as to not drag against a support surface or the like when the storage container 100 is positioned on a flat surface and supported by the bottom edge 116 rather than the support brackets 120a, 120b. Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the outer end 118 of the support brackets 120a, 120b may be configured to be aligned with the outer surface of the bottom edge 116 such that in the first position the support brackets 120a, 120b may define the appearance of a continuous uninterrupted surface along the bottom edge 116, which may create an appealing aesthetic for the storage container 100. Further, such positioning helps to ensure that the support brackets 120a, 120b do not interfere with operation of the storage container 100 or the like. In this position, the support brackets 120a, 120b may be inset within an outer perimeter of the storage container 100, such as within the perimeter of the bottom edge 116 and/or the perimeter defined by the walls 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d.

[0053] With reference to FIG. 4, with the support brackets 120a, 120b in the retracted position, the storage container 100 may be stacked in a first configuration with other storage containers 202, 204. More specifically, the storage container 100 may be stacked in a nested or partially nested configuration, where the top storage container 100 is seated within the storage cavity 104 of an adjacent and lower storage container 202. This may be repeated for multiple storage containers, e.g., a second storage container 202 receiving the first storage container 100 may be nested within a third or bottom storage container 204. In this configuration, the system of storage containers 100, 202, 204 may have a reduced volume as compared to an expanded configuration (see FIG. 6). This may allow multiple storage containers 100, 202, 204 to be shipped, stored, and/or displayed such as for sale by occupying a reduced volume.

[0054] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate various views of the storage container 100 with the support brackets 120a, 120b positioned in a deployed or extended position. With reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, to transition the support brackets 120a, 120b into the second position, a user may grip the bracket body 127, such as by positioning one or more fingers within gaps defined by the ribs 130 and slide the bracket body 127 laterally outwards, e.g., away from a center of the bottom wall 114. As the bracket body 127 slides or moves, the guide walls 138a, 138b help to constrain the movement and ensure that the bracket body 127 does not move vertically and stays within the defined track, e.g., area between the guide walls 138a, 138b. As the first or interior end of the bracket body 127 is moved to the terminal edge of the guide walls 138a, 138b, the stops 128 engage against the ends of the guide walls 138a, 138b, and the stops 128 prevent further movement of the bracket body 127 outwards in the first direction. In the extended position, a top surface of the bracket body 127 may be exposed and extend past the perimeter of the bottom edge 116, exposing the coupling feature 132 and ribs 130 on the bottom side of the bracket body 127. Such exposure and positioning allows the support brackets 120a, 120b to be easily coupled to an adjacent storage container 100 or other element.

[0055] FIGS. 6-8 illustrate various views of a system 200 of stacked storage containers by using the support brackets 120a, 120b. With reference to FIG. 6, with the support brackets 120a, 120b in the deployed position, the storage container 100 may be stacked on top of another adjacent storage container 202 and the second storage container 202 may be stacked on top of a third storage container 204. The support brackets 120a, 120d extend at least a width of the bottom edge 116 and couple to the top rim 106 of the adjacent storage container 100. This allows the top storage container 100, 202 to be positioned so as to not substantially interfere with the storage cavity 104 of the bottom or adjacent storage container 202, 204. Further, the various securing and coupling features of the storage containers 100 help to ensure that the system 200 is rigid and secured, e.g., help to reduce the likelihood that the stacked containers 100, 202, 204 fall over, tip, or collapse.

[0056] More specifically, with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B, which illustrate enlarged views of the support brackets 120a, 120b coupled to the top rim 106 of adjacent storage container 202, the coupling feature 132 receives the top rim 106 therein, and optionally a secondary coupling feature 144 receives another rail or portion of the top rim 106. The coupling features 132, 144 help to secure the support bracket 120a in place and prevent accidental decoupling of the storage container 100 from the second storage container 202.

[0057] Further, with reference to FIG. 8, in some examples, the securing elements 122a, 122b formed on the back wall 102d may be used to define an auxiliary anchor between the storage containers 100, 202, 204. For example, the securing elements 122a, 122b may be received within securing apertures 121a, 121b in the adjacent or second storage container 202. This additional or auxiliary securing point helps to reduce motion between the storage containers in another direction, different from the support brackets 120a, 120b.

[0058] With the dual anchors, e.g., support brackets 120a, 120b and the securing elements 122a, 122b, the stacked storage containers 100, 202, 204 may be relatively fixed to one another and rigid, e.g., interlocked together, helping to support the system and prevent accidental decoupling of the storage containers.

[0059] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a pattern 900 for the storage container 100. For example, at least a portion of one or more of walls 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d of the storage container 100 may include the pattern 900 to reduce the weight of the storage container, to provide strength and/or rigidity of the storage container 100, or the like. The pattern 900 can simulate the appearance of a woven object, such as a basket. The pattern 900 can comprise a regular or irregular arrangement of raised and/or lowered surfaces, such as ridges. The pattern 900 can be arranged or oriented in various ways, such as parallel or perpendicular to one or more edges of the walls 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d and/or diagonally at various angles. In some implementations, the pattern 900 can additionally or alternatively comprise one or more apertures of any shape, which can be similarly arranged or oriented. For example, the one or more apertures can be oriented to complement an arrangement of the raised and/or lowered surfaces, such as to provide spaces between ridges, which can advantageously reduce a weight of the storage container 100 without materially reducing strength and/or rigidity.

[0060] It should be noted that while the various examples are described with reference to storage containers or systems, they may also be applicable other devices, such as, but not limited to, shelving, soft goods, or the like. As such, the discussion on any particular implementation is meant as illustrative only.

[0061] The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments of as defined in the claims. Although various embodiments have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, other embodiments using different combinations of elements and structures disclosed herein are contemplated, as other iterations can be determined through ordinary skill based upon the teachings of the present disclosure. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only of particular embodiments and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the basic elements as defined in the following claims.