BIN TOPPER FOR CABINET

Abstract

A bin topper for use with a storage parts bin cabinet, including: a front portion; a back portion; a left side portion; and a right side portion, wherein the front portion has an angled top surface and a bottom flange and rearward flange and the left side portion and the right side portion each have a triangular shape with a plurality of flanges that extend from a main side portion, at least two of the plurality of flanges are provided for securing the front portion, the back portion, the left side portion; and the right side portion together.

Claims

1. A bin topper for use with a storage parts bin cabinet, comprising: a front portion; a back portion; a left side portion; and a right side portion, wherein the front portion has an angled top surface and a bottom flange and rearward flange and the left side portion and the right side portion each have a triangular shape with a plurality of flanges that extend from a main side portion, at least two of the plurality of flanges are provided for securing the front portion, the back portion, the left side portion; and the right side portion together.

2. The bin topper as in claim 1, wherein the front portion, the back portion, the left side portion and the right side portion are formed from sheet metal.

3. The bin topper as in claim 1, wherein the bin topper only consists of the front portion, the back portion, the left side portion and the right side portion other than fastening members to secure the front portion, the back portion, the left side portion and the right side portion and the front portion, the back portion, the left side portion and the right side portion define a configuration of the bin topper.

4. The bin topper as in claim 1, wherein the bottom flange and the rearward flange are integrally formed with the angled top surface such that they are a single unitary component.

5. The bin topper as in claim 1, wherein the back portion has a bottom portion and a rear wall portion.

6. The bin topper as in claim 1, wherein the back portion has an L shaped configuration with a bottom portion and a rear wall portion.

7. The bin topper as in claim 1, wherein the back portion has a bottom portion and a rear wall portion and the bottom portion and the rear wall portion are integrally formed with each other such that they are a single unitary component.

8. The bin topper as in claim 1, wherein the plurality of flanges comprise a top flange, a bottom flange and a rear flange.

9. The bin topper as in claim 8, wherein the top flange, the bottom flange, the rear flange, and the main side portion are integrally formed with each other such that they are a single unitary component.

10. The bin topper as in claim 8, wherein when the bin topper is assembled, the top flange is secured to the angled surface by fasteners or screws that pass through openings in the angled surface and engage openings in the top flange.

11. The bin topper as in claim 10, wherein when the bin topper is assembled, the rearward flange is secured to the back portion by fasteners or screws that pass through openings in a rear wall portion of the back portion and engage openings in the rear flange.

12. In combination, a storage parts bin cabinet and a bin topper configured for securement to a top surface of the storage parts bin cabinet the bin topper including: a front portion; a back portion; a left side portion; and a right side portion, wherein the front portion has an angled top surface and a bottom flange and rearward flange and the left side portion and the right side portion each have a triangular shape with a plurality of flanges that extend from a main side portion, at least two of the plurality of flanges are provided for securing the front portion, the back portion, the left side portion; and the right side portion together.

13. The combination as in claim 12, wherein the front portion, the back portion, the left side portion and the right side portion are formed from sheet metal.

14. The combination as in claim 12, wherein the bin topper only consists of the front portion, the back portion, the left side portion and the right side portion other than fastening members to secure the front portion, the back portion, the left side portion and the right side portion and the front portion, the back portion, the left side portion and the right side portion define a configuration of the bin topper.

15. The combination as in claim 12, wherein the bottom flange and the rearward flange are integrally formed with the angled top surface such that they are a single unitary component.

16. The combination as in claim 12, wherein the back portion has a bottom portion and a rear wall portion.

17. The combination as in claim 12, wherein the back portion has an L shaped configuration with a bottom portion and a rear wall portion and the bottom portion and the rear wall portion are integrally formed with each other such that they are a single unitary component.

18. The combination as in claim 12, wherein the plurality of flanges comprise a top flange, a bottom flange and a rear flange.

19. The combination as in claim 18, wherein the top flange, the bottom flange, the rear flange, and the main side portion are integrally formed with each other such that they are a single unitary component.

20. The combination as in claim 12, wherein the bin topper has a triangular configuration and has a length L and a width W which are similar to a corresponding length L and a width W of a top surface of the cabinet.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Referring now to the drawings, which are meant to be exemplary and not limiting, and wherein like elements are numbered alike in the accompanying Figures:

[0026] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a storage cabinet for use with a bin topper in accordance with the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a bin topper in accordance with the present disclosure; and

[0028] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a bin topper in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] With reference now to FIGS. 1-3, an example of a storage parts bin cabinet or cabinet 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1. The storage parts bin cabinet or cabinet 10 is contemplated for use with a bin topper 12 in accordance with the present disclosure. In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the storage parts bin cabinet 10 has a back wall 14, and a top or top surface 16, a bottom 18, a first lateral sidewall 20 and a second lateral sidewall 22. The first lateral sidewall 20 is connected to a first side of the top 16 and the bottom 18 and the second lateral sidewall 22 is connected to a second, opposite side of the top 16 and the bottom 18. A front of the storge parts bin cabinet 10 is open and the back, top bottom, and first and second sidewalls, in combination define a hollow interior accessed by the open front.

[0030] As shown, the hollow interior of the storage parts bin cabinet may be divided to form a plurality of individual storage parts bins arranged in an array. The plurality of individual storage parts bins may be arranged in one or more rows and/or one or more columns. Although the illustrated storage parts bin cabinet includes five rows of bins with each row containing eight individual bins, it should be understood that an array having any configuration is within the scope of the disclosure.

[0031] In an alternative configuration, the cabinet 10 may simply have a single internal cavity or bin accessible from the front and in yet any of the aforementioned embodiments, the cavity or bins are covered by doors (not shown) secured to the cabinet.

[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a bin topper 12 configured for use with the storage parts bin cabinet 10 is illustrated. The bin topper 12 is secured to the top 16 of the cabinet 10 and provides an angled top surface 24 such that articles are not placed on the top of the cabinet 10. In other words, the angled top surface 24 prevents articles from being located on the top 16 of the cabinet 10. In one non-limiting embodiment, the bin topper 12 has a triangular configuration and has a length L and a width W which are similar to the corresponding length L and a width W of the top 16 l of the cabinet 10. Of course, and in non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure, the length L and the width W of the bin topper 12 may be smaller or greater than the corresponding length Land width Wof the cabinet 10.

[0033] Referring now to at least FIGS. 2 and 3, and in one non-limiting embodiment the bin topper 12 is a formed from four components. A front portion 26, a back portion 28, a left side portion 30 and a right side portion 32. In one non-limiting embodiment, each of these components front portion 26, back portion 28, left side portion 30 and right side portion 32 are formed from sheet metal. In one non-limiting embodiment, the bin topper only consists of the aforementioned four components (e.g., a front portion 26, a back portion 28, a left side portion 30 and a right side portion 32) to define the bin topper 12 and no other components other than the fastening members to secure these components together. In one non-limiting embodiment, each of these components the front portion 26, the back portion 28, the left side portion 30 and the right side portion 32 are formed from sheet metal. The front portion 26 has the aforementioned angled top surface 24 and a bottom flange 34 and rearward flange 36. In one embodiment, the bottom flange 34 and the rearward flange are integrally formed with the angled top surface 24 such that they are a single unitary component.

[0034] The back portion 28 has an L shaped configuration with a bottom portion 38 and a rear wall portion 40. In one embodiment, the bottom portion 38 and the rear wall portion 40 are integrally formed with each other such that they are a single unitary component. Of course and in other non-limiting embodiments, the back portion may have other shapes other than the aforementioned L shaped configuration.

[0035] The left side portion 30 and the right side portion 32, in one non limiting embodiment, each have a triangular shape with a plurality of flanges (top flange 42, bottom flange 44 and rear flange 46) that extend from a main side portion 48. In one embodiment, the main side portion 48 and the plurality of flanges (top flange 42, bottom flange 44 and rear flange 46) are integrally formed with each other such that they are a single unitary component. Of course and in other non-limiting embodiments, the left side portion 30 and the right side portion 32 may have other shapes other than the aforementioned triangular configuration.

[0036] When the bin topper is assembled, top flanges 42 are secured to the angled surface 24 by fasteners or screws 50 that pass through openings 52 in the angled surface 24 and engage openings 54 in the top flanges 42 for example, a threaded screw 50 that passes through openings 52 and threadingly engages openings 54.

[0037] In addition, the rearward flange 36 is secured to the back portion 28 by fasteners or screws 56 that pass through openings 58 in the rear wall portion 40 of the back portion 28 and engage openings 60 in the rear flanges 46. For example, a threaded screw 56 that passes through openings 58 and threadingly engages openings 60. In one embodiment and in order to secure the front portion 26 to the back portion 28 some of the screws 56 also pass through an opening (not shown) in the rearward flange 36 thus, securing the front portion 26 to both a side portion 30, 32 and the back portion 28 by a single screw 56 that passes through all three components. The rearward flange 36 is also directly secured only to the rear wall portion 40 of the back portion 28 by screws or fasteners 70 that pass through an opening 72 in the rear wall portion 40 and engage an opening (not shown) in the rearward flange 36.

[0038] The bottom portion 38 is secured to the top portion 16 and the bottom flange 34 is secured to the top portion 16 in order to secure the bin topper 12 to the cabinet 10. As illustrated, and in one non-limiting embodiment, the bottom portion 38 and the bottom flange 34 may have a length L that is the similar to the length L of the top portion 16. However, the combined widths W of the bottom portion 38 and the bottom flange 34 are less than the width of the top portion 16 of the cabinet 10 in order to reduce the amount of material required for the bin topper 12 without sacrificing the structural integrity of the bin topper 12.

[0039] In one non-limiting embodiment, the bin topper 12 is provided with multiple components that facilitate straightforward assembly. In particular, the front portion 26 comprising the angled top surface 24 and the back portion 28 comprising the bottom portion 38 and the rear wall portion 40 may be pre-fastened or integrally connected prior to delivery. As a result, the end user is only required to install the left and right side portions 30, 32 onto the preassembled structure comprising the front portion 26 and the back portion 28 using screws or fasteners 50. This arrangement reduces assembly steps for the end user while maintaining the structural integrity and functional advantages of the bin topper 12. Moreover, and by providing a bin topper 12 with multiple parts damaged parts may be replaced without replacing then entire bin topper 12.

[0040] In particular and in one embodiment, the bin topper 12 discourages users from placing articles on the top 16 of the cabinet 10 by providing an angled surface 24, thereby reducing clutter and improving workplace safety. The angled surface 24 also makes it easier to clean the cabinet 10 since dust and debris are less likely to accumulate on the top 16. Additionally, the exposed front surface of the bin topper may serve as a convenient location for users to display important information, labels, or even branding such as a company name or logo, thereby adding functional and promotional value.

[0041] While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to any particular embodiment disclosed as the best or only mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Also, in the drawings and the description, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention therefore not being so limited. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc., do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. Furthermore, the use of the terms a, an, etc., do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.