EP0959743B1

EP0959743B1 - Storage unit

Info

Publication number: EP0959743B1
Application number: EP97926314A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Erik Ola Ahlberg
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-05-22
Filing date: 1997-05-21
Publication date: 2004-12-08
Anticipated expiration: 2017-05-21
Also published as: SE9601937D0; GB2338229B; AU3110697A; SE9601937L; DE959743T1; SE505663C2; EP0959743A1; DE69731900T2; CA2255924A1; WO1997043932A1; DE69731900D1; GB9825525D0; HK1023707A1; GB2338229A

Description

The present invention relates generally to openable and closable storage units of the type described in the preamble to the attached Claim 1.

In these units, one storage space is intended for rolled-up information-carrying sheets or equivalent and the second space is intended for folded-up stand parts.

The height of the storage units is thus designed to exceed slightly the height of said sheets or alternatively of said stand parts.

PRIOR ART

Storage units for collapsible and fold-out complete display units, consisting of one or more stand parts and one or more information-carrying sheets or screens, are previously known in a large number of embodiments.

As an example, it may be mentioned that it is previously known to make use of a moulded storage unit made of polyethylene with wheels, which has been dimensioned with an inner space adapted so to be capable of enclosing a selected complete display unit.

It is also previously known to make use of transport carts in order, by means of these, to transport folded-up display units form one exhibition location to another.

One such known storage unit for collapsible display units is the applicant's own older product marketed under the name NW ALL-IN-ONE BOX which has a rectangular openable top covering two storage spaces, one essentially circle-cylindrical and one essentially square-column-shaped. The shapes of the lateral outside walls correspond to these storage spaces; i.e. a square-column part merged at one side to a circle-cylindrical part.

If the features associated with the present invention are now considered, it can be said that the storage unit is to be designed with dimensions adapted so as to be capable of storing such a folded-up display unit as is offered for sale under the trademark NETWORK ® by Maxibit AB, Stockholm, Sweden.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION TECHNICAL PROBLEM

Considering the prior art with regard to openable and closable storage units of the kind indicated in the introduction, it certainly ought to be deemed a technical problem to be able to indicate a construction for a storage unit so that it can in a simple manner enclose and be stable enough for transport of a folded-up complete display unit, and which has moreover been given an outer design which is adapted so as to be capable of serving as a podium or as a rostrum.

There is also a technical problem in being able to indicate a storage unit for a folded-up display unit which, in a closed state with interacting end-wall parts, can offer such a bending-resistant construction, in spite of thin wall parts, that said storage unit can serve as a transport box or a display case, a podium or the like and as such can be placed in front of or next to a folded-out display unit.

It must also be deemed a technical problem to be able to indicate a storage unit of this type which affords a flexible, light and strong transport packaging.

There is also a technical problem in being able to indicate an openable and closable storage unit which, during the exhibition itself, can be used as an integrated part of a folded-out complete display unit.

It must also be deemed a technical problem to be able to offer such a construction for the storage unit, taking the abovementioned requirements into consideration, as can be given an appropriate podium height, approximately 1 metre, and which, in spite of low weight and light construction, has sufficiently great stability for it to be possible to place a TV monitor, a computer or another heavy product on an upper bearing surface.

There is also a technical problem in being able to indicate a storage unit which is particularly appropriate for transport, with an outer design and decor which matches other presentation materials and which can serve as a podium, usually with the use of well formed and simple concealment which can cover any transport damage on the storage unit.

There is also a technical problem, in a storage unit of the kind indicated in the introduction and for the technical field indicated above, of understanding the significance of, within said wall part and delimited by in any case one end-wall part, forming in any case two intercommunicating storage spaces.

There is also a technical problem in being able to have one storage space given a circular or in any case essentially circular cross-section by means of part-circular inwardly directed projections which are formed in said plane wall sections or applied thereto.

SOLUTION

The above problems are solved in a storage unit of the type described by way of introduction which has the features defined in the characterising clause of the attached Claim 1.

By way of proposed embodiments, which fall within the scope of the inventive idea, it is indicated that one of said part circular units and an adjacent unit are constituted by an integrated part.

It is further indicated that one of said arcuate units and an adjacent unit are formed via a recess in one of said wall sections.

Furthermore, it is indicated that a number of arcuate units with adjacent units are arranged one above another within a planar wall section.

Further advantageous embodiments are disclosed in subclaims 5-14.

ADVANTAGES

The advantages which can chiefly be deemed to be characteristic of a storage unit according to the present invention are that, by these means, the prerequisites have been created ,not only for, in an easy manner, being able to obtain a storage unit or storage box which is particularly appropriate for transport of folded-up display units, but also for this storage unit being capable of being used as a podium or the like and with an outer design and cover which can follow the design of a folded-out display unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

A storage unit, which is proposed for the time being and has the characteristics which are significant of the present invention, and its application will now be described in greater detail with reference to the attached drawing, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a folded-out display unit with a storage unit indicated according to the invention, completed by a cover so as to be capable of serving as a podium,

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the storage unit in a first perspective view, without cover,

Figure 3 shows the storage unit according to Figure 2 in a second perspective view,

Figure 4 shows the storage unit according to Figures 2 and 3 in section and in a partial enlargement, and

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of an upper end-wall part with a plate above an upper plane surface.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED EMBODIMENT

With reference to Figure 1, this accordingly shows an empty storage unit 1 in a perspective view, which is adapted so as to be capable of enclosing and receiving a folded-up complete display unit 2.

The display unit 2 consists of one or more stand parts, illustrated in Figure 1 as three stand sections 2a, 2b and 2c and one or more information-carrying sheets attached to the stand sections, illustrated in the exemplary embodiment as three information-carrying sheets divided into two 3a, 3d; 3b, 3e and 3c, 3f.

The display unit 2 also has rounded edge parts 2e, 2f in this case.

As this display unit 2 is previously known, it is not described in any greater detail here although it should be mentioned that the sections of the stand unit 2 can adopt a folded-out position shown in Figure 1 or a folded-up position intended for packing.

The information-carrying sheets 3a, 3d; 3b, 3e and 3c, 3f can be attached in a known manner to a folded-out stand unit 2 and consist of a suitable material so that the sheets can be rolled up.

The same applies for the edge parts 2e, 2f.

The storage unit 1 can, as Figure 1 shows, serve as a podium or the like when it is not being used as a storage unit or transport box.

With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the storage unit 1 is shown in a completely closed position in two different perspective views.

This storage unit 1 can be considered to consist of a wall part 10 which encloses the unit and first (upper,) 11 and second (lower) 12 end-wall parts which interact and/or are integrated with this wall part, said wall part 10 being arranged to, in cross-section, form a cross-sectional area "A" following or in any case essentially following one or both said end-

wall parts

11, 12.

Said wall part 10 can be seen as consisting of two opposite

semi-cylindrical wall sections

10a, 10a' interconnected by two plane wall sections 10b, 10b'.

Within said wall part 10 and delimited by in any case one end-wall part, say the second or lower end-wall part 12, there are in any case two distinct storage spaces 5 and 6 arranged within said cross-sectional area "A".

One storage space 5 is given a circular or in any case essentially circular cross-section 5A by means of part-circular units 7, 7' formed in said plane wall sections 10b, 10b' or applied thereto, or inwardly directed projections.

The second storage space 6 is given a semi-circular or in any case essentially semi-circular cross-section 6A by means of units 8, 8' formed in or next to said plane wall sections 10b, 10b' or attached thereto, or inwardly directed projections.

One of said arcuate units 7, 7' and an adjacent unit 8, 8' can be constituted by an integrated part 78 and one of said part-circular units and an adjacent unit are formed as a projection at a recess 20 in one of said wall sections 10b'.

Each of the

units

7, 8 can be applied and attached as a part to the inner surface of the wall part 10b' or integrated with the storage unit during manufacture.

The embodiment according to the present invention indicates that three units are located vertically one above another in the wall part 10b', and three corresponding units are located one above another in the wall part 10b, and for each unit 78 there is a recess 20, 20a and 20b in the wall part 10b'.

The recess 20 is arranged so as to extend across said plane wall part 10b'.

The recesses 20, 20a and 20b have a height which together occupies 30-70% of the total height of the storage unit, which may be 80-110 cm, preferably around 100 cm.

The exemplary embodiment illustrates that the recesses 20 and 20b have a greater height than the recess 20a, the height of the recess 20 exceeding the height of the recess 20a by 10-50%, preferably 30%.

The distance between adjacent recesses can be 20-40% of the height of the recess 20, preferably 30%.

The scope of the invention also includes of course the use of more or fewer units with or without a recess 20 and, as Figures 2 and 3 show, with greater or smaller vertical extent and, since the units are identical or essentially identical, the following description will include only the unit which is located in the recess 20.

The horizontal extent of the recess 20 could be slightly smaller than shown.

Generally, it can be said that it is appropriate that a number of arcuate units 7 with adjacent units 8 are arranged one above another entirely within a plane wall section 10b' and that the two parallel plane wall sections 10b, 10b' are provided with the same number of opposite units of the same shape.

The upper or first end-wall part 11 is formed with an upwardly facing peripheral edge 13 for forming a hollow 11', and at the same time it is shown that the upper end-wall part it can have a delimited space 40.

The end-wall part 11 constitutes a lid with a lower edge 13' adapted to interact with the upper part of the wall part 10.

The hollow 11' is dimensioned so as to have shallow depth and 30 is adapted to be capable of receiving a plane block 30.

The inner space 40 is delimited by a lid 40' which advantageously can be attached to the plane side parts of the end-wall part via a hinge (not shown) 41.

The circular cross-section 5A of the space 5 is selected with a radius of curvature which is appropriate for one or more rolled-up picture lengths 3a ... 3f and these form a further inner centrally delimited storage space 5' which is appropriate for rolled-up end parts 2e, 2f.

Opposite units 78, 78' are dimensioned so as to form an opening between said two storage spaces 5 and 6, with the opening given the reference number 9.

Said units 78, 78' can be dimensioned so that opposite edges 10 are arranged at a distance from one another, say 10 to 20 cm, preferably about 15 cm.

The lower of said end-wall parts 12 is provided with wheels 14, 14'.

In any case, one of the semi-circular wall sections, say section 10a, is to be provided with a carrying handle 15.

A handle 16 next to the edge 13 is intended to form a handgrip and with this the storage unit 1 can be rolled via the wheels 14, 14' along a surface 17.

The semi-circular space 6 is adapted so as to be capable of storing magnetic strips, shelf planes and shelf constructions, in addition to folded-up stands.

There is also a space 40 for spotlights in the lid 11.

The circular space 5 can accommodate a lacquered aluminium lid 30 and as a lining a decor panel 31 with magnetic tape at both short ends. This decor panel 31 is adapted so as to be capable of surrounding the transport unit 1 and covering the

wall sections

10a, 10b, 10a', 10b' between the

edges

51 and 52 by magnetic-strip interaction along the short ends. The lacquered plate lid 30 is located in the hollow 11 inside the border or the peripheral edge 13.

The invention is of course not restricted to the embodiment indicated above as an example but can be subjected to modifications within the scope of the inventive idea illustrated in the patent claims below.

Claims

Openable and closable storage unit (1) adapted so as to be capable of enclosing a folded-up display unit (2), consisting of one or more stand parts and one or more information-carrying sheets, screens or the like, and of serving as a podium or the like, with a wall part (10) which encloses the unit and upper and lower end-wall parts (11,12) belonging to the wall part (10), there being at least first and second vertical storage spaces (5,6) within said wall part (10) and delimited by at least one end-wall part (11, 12), characterized in that said wall part (10) has the form of two opposite semi-cylindrical wall sections interconnected by planar wall sections, in that said first storage space has a substantially circular cross-section defined by arcuate units (7) arranged one above another, formed in said planar wall sections or applied thereto, and in that said second storage space (6) has a substantially semi-circular cross-section defined by adjacent units (8, 8') arranged one above another and which are formed in or next to said planar wall sections (10b, 10b') or attached thereto.
Unit according to Claim 1, characterized in that one of said arcuate units (7,7') and a unit (8,8') adjacent thereto constitute an integrated part (78, 78').
Unit according to Claim 2, characterized in that one of said arcuate units (7,7') and a unit (8,8') adjacent thereto are formed by means of a recess (20) in one of said wall sections (10b,10b').
Unit according to Claim 3, characterized in that a number of arcuate units (7,7') with adjacent units (8,8') are arranged one above another within a planar wall section (10b,10b').
Unit according to Claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the two interconnecting plane wall sections are parallel and in that the said integrated parts (78,78') form opposing pairs.
Unit according to Claim 1, characterized in that the upper end-wall part (11) is formed with an upwardly facing peripheral edge (13) for forming a hollow.
Unit according to Claim 1, characterized in that the upper end-wall part (11) has a delimited space.
Unit according to Claim 1, characterized in that the circular cross section is selected with a radius of curvature suitable for holding one or more rolled up information-carrying sheets (3a-f), which when held rolled up define a limited storage space therewithin.
Unit according to Claim 5, characterized in that the integrated parts (78,78') in opposing pairs are dimensioned so as to form an opening (9) between said two storage spaces (5,6).
Unit according to Claim 1, characterized in that said opposing pairs of integrated parts (78, 78') are arranged spaced from one another.
Unit according to Claim 1, characterized in that the lower end wall part (12) is provided with wheels.
Unit according to Claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the semi-cylindrical wall sections is provided with a carrying handle.
Unit according to Claim 1 or 6, characterized in that a décor panel is adapted to surround said wall part (10) and a lid (40') is designed to interact with said peripheral edge (13).
Unit according to Claim 1, characterized in that the upper end-wall part (11) is provided with a storage space (40).