EP2397048B1 - Collapsible storage cabinet - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a collapsible storage cabinet consisting of two plates, a top plate and a bottom plate, each having a rectangular surface with the same side dimensions and the opposite corners of the top plate and bottom plate are connected by vertical columns, the pedestals centrally foldable joints that the Divided pillars into two segments, an upper part of the pedestal and a lower part of the pedestal, and the segments of the pedestal with the top and bottom plate are connected by hinges and a deformable covering the frame, consisting of the top plate, the bottom plate and the pillars, encloses, creating a storage space.

Cabinets are used for storage of clothing, household items, food or the like. Since usually such cabinets are made of wood or other immovable and stable material, these cabinets take up a lot of space, even if they are not needed. However, if you want to disassemble the cabinets and stow them in another location, they are often only with tools to disassemble, in many cases difficult to carry, need storage space and the screws or hinges that are needed for the reconstruction, not infrequently kept separately become.

Therefore, collapsible storage cabinets or containers have been developed, which, for example, from the EP 0 755 639 A2 , of the DE 203 02 285 U1 or from the US 2009/0289069 A1 are known.

The EP 0 755 639 A2 and the DE 203 02 285 U 1 each disclose a collapsible container, in particular for garments, having a rectangular bottom part and a rectangular top part, these being permanently connected together by a collapsible linkage consisting of two parts connected by a hinge.

The hinges are formed in both revelations such that they allow pivoting of the rod parts only inwardly.

The US 2009/0289069 A1 discloses a collapsible reservoir of flexible material wherein stable side support members secured within the flexible material provide the structure of the container in the erected condition.

In storage cabinets, which have a sturdy top plate and bottom plate, which are robust, this is often provided that the side parts are folded over the bottom plate. On the one hand, this type of collapsible storage cabinet solves the stability problem and the top and bottom panels provide additional storage space, however, considering that for collapsing all the side panels must be folded simultaneously over the bottom panel, it follows that the height of the side panels no longer than the width of the bottom plate may be. By this type of collapsing, therefore, the height of the storage cabinet is limited, which accordingly also the internal volume is limited.

The invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a space-saving stowed, easy to deploy and stable in the unfolded state and spacious storage cabinet to create.

This object is achieved in that the vertical columns on the hinges at an angle of up to 90 ° clockwise or counterclockwise, but always in the same direction, at the same time directionally fixed along the edges of the top plate and bottom plate are hinged and the pillars on the central joints are einknickbar.

This arrangement of hinges and hinges allows the uprights to be collapsible, which in turn allows for interior space enlargement. The sturdy top and bottom plates allow them to be used for additional support surface. Thus, for example, heavy food, shoes or the like can be protected by the covering from dirt on the lower plate and placed on the top plate, for example, books or flower vases. Due to the simultaneous and directionally fixed buckling of the pillars is also achieved that the storage cabinet without the need for tools can be collapsed and built.

In the storage cabinet according to the invention it is provided that the joint is formed of an articulated arm and a joint socket, wherein the articulated arm is connectable at the upper end to the upper part of the pedestal and at the lower end to the hinge base and the hinge base at the lower end to the lower part the pillar is connectable, wherein the upper side of the hinge socket has a recess for receiving the articulated arm.

It is provided that the segments of the pedestal have at least one central recess. It makes sense that a recess at the end of a segment is present, so that in this the hinge head piece can be introduced. For the upper parts of the pedestal also a second recess at the lower end is advantageous to which the articulated arm is slidable.

Furthermore, it is advantageous that the uprights have a round cross-section. The round cross-section avoids sharp edges, which protects the clothing and prevents injuries.

Thus, the storage cabinet is easy to build, it is advantageous that the hinge socket has a recess at the lower end for receiving the lower part of the Standing pillar whose diameter is smaller than or equal to the outer diameter of the segments of the pedestal.

It is also provided that the articulated arm has an upper end whose cross section is smaller than or equal to the inner cross section of the lower part of the pedestal. By this configuration, the articulated arm can be pushed into the lower part of the pedestal.

So that the segments can not come loose, it is provided that the hinge base and the articulated arm have devices for fixing the segments of the pedestal. These fixing devices could be, for example, detachable plug or screw connections.

To simply collapse the storage cabinet, it is further contemplated that the hinges each consist of a hinge base, a hinge slot and a hinge header with the respective hinge base mounted in the corners of two edges of the top panel and the bottom panel and the hinge slot attached to the hinge base in that the hinge head piece, consisting of a part which can be connected to the hinge slot and a bolt-shaped part for connection to the pedestal, which is articulated in the hinge slot, can only be rotated at an angle of up to 90 ° along one of the hitting edges. This configuration makes it possible for the upright columns to fold in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction, but always in the same direction, simultaneously along the edges of the top and bottom panels.

It is further provided for the invention that the length of the pillars up to two times longer than the shortest side of the top plate or bottom plate. As a result of this configuration, the upright columns can be stowed suitably between the upper and lower plates in the folded-up state. Since the edges of the top and bottom plate lie in the folded state to each other, creates a suitcase-like storage space in which the pillars are located.

In order to avoid sharp edges during transport, but also in the unfolded state, it is further provided that the top plate and the bottom plate have bevelled or rounded edges, which are for the top plate from the top to the interior and for the Sub-panel are bent or rounded from the bottom to the interior or rounded and the length of the bevelled or rounded edges are greater than the diameter of the vertical columns. The fact that the edges of the upper and lower plate are larger than the diameter of the vertical columns, it is ensured that in the folded state, the edges of the upper and lower plate fit together. This is advantageous if the storage cabinet is stored for a long time, because the interior can not be contaminated by dust with this design.

In order that the storage cabinet can not deploy during transport, it is further provided that at least one means for securing to the stackable top plate or bottom plate is attached. This securing means may for example be a hook on the top plate with a hooking lug on the bottom plate, but the securing could also be achieved by hook-and-loop straps, a lap belt or the like.

In the following, the invention will be explained with reference to exemplary embodiments.

Fig. 1

Zusammenfaltbarer Lagerungsschrank in perspektivischer Ansicht,

Fig. 2.

Zusammenfaltbarer Lagerungsschrank in Explosionsansicht, ohne Stoffbespannung,

Fig. 3

Zusammenfaltbarer Lagerungsschrank in perspektivischer Ansicht, ohne Stoffbespannung, während des Zusammenfaltens,

Fig. 4

Zusammenfaltbarer Lagerungsschrank in perspektivischer Ansicht, in zusammengefaltetem Zustand,

Fig. 5

Vergrößerte Ansicht von Ausschnitt A des zusammenfaltbaren Lagerungsschranks, dargestellt in Fig. 2,

Fig. 6a

Gelenkarm in perspektivischer Ansicht,

Fig. 6b

Gelenksockel in perspektivischer Ansicht.

Show it:

Fig. 1

Foldable storage cabinet in perspective view,

Fig. 2.

Foldable storage cabinet in exploded view, without fabric cover,

Fig. 3

Foldable storage cabinet in perspective view, without fabric covering, during folding,

Fig. 4

Foldable storage cabinet in perspective view, in folded condition,

Fig. 5

Enlarged view of section A of the collapsible storage cabinet, shown in FIG Fig. 2 .

Fig. 6a

Articulated arm in perspective view,

Fig. 6b

Articulated base in perspective view.

Reference numerals are: top plate (1), fabric (2), hinge (3), hinge base (31), articulated arm (32), pedestal (4), upper part of the pedestal (41), lower part of the pedestal (42), lower plate (5), Hinge (6), Hinge Slot (61), Hinge Head Piece (62), Hinge Base (63), Hook (8), Hooking Device (81), Handle (9).

In the Figures 1 and 2 the structure of the invention is shown. The top plate (1) and the bottom plate (5) are parallel arranged rectangular plates with equal side lengths, which are aligned with each other and which are interconnected by the four upright standing columns (4) at the four corners. In the middle of each pedestal (4) a foldable joint (3) is arranged. The covering (2) encloses the frame of the collapsible storage cabinet, which is formed by the top plate (1), the bottom plate (5) and the vertical columns (4). The upper and lower ends of the fabric (2), which may for example be made of tarpaulin material, fabric or the like, can be separately attached to the top plate (1) and the bottom plate (5). On the fabric (2) four sleeves are mounted, which surround the pillars (4) with the sleeves in the middle have a recess, so that the joints are not covered by the sleeves. The sleeves can for example be formed by two pieces of clothing, which are equipped with means for fixing, so that they can be released by releasing the means for fixing the frame or the fabric (2) is easily attachable to the frame. These means for fixing can for example consist of Velcro, snaps, hooks or the like. As in Fig. 1 is further shown, the front of the fabric (2), for example, a zipper to open, or close, the storage cabinet and storage bags on the outside have. However, the opening can also be closed or opened by means of a piece of clothing having pushbuttons, Velcro or the like. The interior of the storage cabinet can be used for the storage of objects, wherein the interior can also be divided by a collapsible partition in, for example, two interiors. It is also conceivable that, for example, a coat rack is attached to the top plate. By such an attachment, for example, blouses or jackets could be hung on hangers and protected by the fabric from dust. The edges of the top plate (1) and the edges of the bottom plate (5) point for the outer frame folded or rounded corners from top to bottom, or from bottom to top. Here, the dimensions of the bent or rounded corners extend over the diameter of the vertical columns (4). By this embodiment, a collapsing of the bevelled or rounded edges of the top plate (1) and bottom plate (5) is made possible, wherein the edges are directly adjacent to each other and wherein the vertical columns in the interior. At the right and left bevelled or rounded edges of the top plate (1) and lower plate (5) are means for fixing. These means for fixing can be hooks (8), for example, which can engage in the folded state of the storage cabinet in a hooking device (81) fastened to the lower plate (5). How to get out of the Figures 1 and 2 can see, located on the front side shown bevelled side of the top plate (1) a handle (9).

The joint (3) is in the Figures 2 and 6 described. As can be seen, the hinge (3) divides the pedestals (4) into two segments each, an upper part of the pedestal (41) and a lower part of the pedestal (42). In this case, the joint is composed of, for example, a cylindrical joint base (31) and, for example, a cylindrical articulated arm (32). The lower end of the hinge base (31) preferably has round recesses over which the upper portion of the lower part of the pedestal (42) can be fastened. In the case that the pedestal has a rectangular cross section, the upper end of the articulated arm (32) and the lower end of the hinge base (31) are rectangular. The upper end of the joint socket (31) has a recess into which the articulated arm can be suitably inserted. The lower end of the articulated arm (32) is arched and may be articulated to the upper end of the recess of the hinge base (31), for example, which hinge may engage in recesses on the inside of the upper end of the hinge base (31). The dimension of the round recess of the joint socket is such that the pedestal (41) can be inserted into this fitting.

The connection via a hinge (6) between the lower part of the pedestal (42) and the lower plate (5) is in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5 shown. At the intersections of two edges of the lower plate (5) hinge base (63) are mounted. In the hinge base (63), a hinge slot (61) can be used, which on the upwardly facing side, parallel to an edge of the lower plate (5), an opening, which may be, for example, U-shaped. The side near the edge has a chicane. At the two Side walls of the hinge slot (61) are mounted symmetrically round holes to which the hinge head piece (62) can be attached. The lower end of the hinge head (62) which is mounted in the hinge slot (61) has a rounding and the upper end has a bolt which in the lower end of the lower part of the pedestal (42) having a recess or is hollow, can be pushed. The diameter of the bolt is equal to or a little smaller than the inner diameter of the pedestal (4). The hinge slot (61) is mounted perpendicular to the adjacent hinge base (63). Also, the inside of the top plate (1) hinges (6). The structure of the hinges (6) on the top plate (1) and the bottom plate (5) is identical. Each segment of the vertical columns (4) has at one end a connection possibility for the hinges (6) and opposite a possibility of connecting the joints (3). When the storage cabinet is opened, the segments of the uprights (41; 42) form a straight line which stabilizes the storage cabinet and the side walls of the pedestal (4) cling to the chicane. A stabilization of the storage cabinet is also achieved by the covering.

The folding of the storage cabinet is in the Fig. 3 shown. As the joint (3) flexes, the articulated arm (32) and the hinge base (31) approach each other. The connected segments of the pedestals (4), namely the upper part of the pedestal (41) and the lower part of the pedestal (42) also approach, while the hinge head pieces (62) in the hinge pedestals (63), which in turn at the Upper plate (1) and the lower plate (5) are mounted, rotate. Since the hinge slots (61) are mounted vertically, the adjacent pedestals (4) fold along the vertical plane to the top plate (1) and bottom plate (5). Therefore, a folding direction is created in a clockwise direction along the edges of the lower plate (5). Since all the pillars (4) follow this folding process along the edges, the structure is stable even during folding. Deformations in one direction or collapse of individual pillars (4) can be excluded.

A folded storage cabinet is in Fig. 4 shown. In the folded position, the folded or rounded edges of the top plate (1) and the bottom plate (2) are on top of each other, which can be interconnected by, for example, hooks (8). In the folded state, the invention is similar to a case and can be easily transported on the handle (9).

As a result of the described folding process, a larger interior for the storage cabinet can be achieved in the unfolded state than in the case of conventional foldable storage cabinets. The storage cabinet is easy to fold and unfold without additional tools and to carry in the folded state handy and very comfortable to carry or store.

Claims (11)

1. A collapsible storage cabinet, consisting of two plates, an upper plate (1) and a lower plate (5), each of which has a rectangular surface with identical lateral dimensions and wherein the opposite corners of the upper plate (1) and the lower plate (5) are connected by vertical posts (4), wherein the vertical posts (4) have articulated joints (3) that can be folded centrally and subdivide the vertical posts (4) into two segments, i.e., an upper part of the vertical post (41) and a lower part of the vertical post (42), and the segments of the vertical posts (4) are connected to the upper plate (1) and the lower plate (5) via hinges (6) and a formable covering (2) encloses the rack which consists of the upper plate (1), the lower plate (5) as well as the vertical posts (4), thus producing a storage room,
   characterized in that the vertical posts (4) can be simultaneously folded along the edges of the upper plate (1) and the lower plate (5), this being achieved via the hinges (6) at an angle of up to 90° in clockwise or counter-clockwise direction, but always in the same direction, and fixed in terms of the direction, and that the vertical posts (4) can be buckled via the central articulated joints (3).
2. The collapsible storage cabinet according to Claim 1,
   characterized in that the articulated joint (3) is formed by an articulated joint arm (32) and an articulated joint base (31), wherein the articulated joint arm (32) can, at its upper end, be connected to the upper part of the vertical post (41) and, at its lower end, to the articulated joint base (31) and that the articulated joint base (31) can, at its lower end, be connected to the lower part of the vertical post (42), wherein the upper side of the articularted joint base (31) has a recess for receiving the articulated joint arm (32).
3. The collapsible storage cabinet according to Claim 1,
   characterized in that the segments of the vertical post (4) have at least one central recess.
4. The collapsible storage cabinet according to Claim 1,
   characterized in that the vertical posts (4) have a round cross-section.
5. The collapsible storage cabinet according to Claim 2,
   characterized in that the articulated joint base (31) has a recess at its lower end for receiving the lower part of the vertical post (42), with the diameter of said recess being less than or equal to the outside diameter of the segments of the vertical post (4).
6. The collapsible storage cabinet according to Claim 2,
   characterized in that the articulated joint arm (32) has an upper end the cross-section of which is less than or equal to the inner cross-section of the lower part of the vertical post (42).
7. The collapsible storage cabinet according to Claim 2,
   characterized in that the articulated joint base (31) and the articulated joint arm (32) have devices for fixing the segments of the vertical post (4) in position.
8. The collapsible storage cabinet according to Claim 1,
   characterized in that the hinges (6) each consist of a hinge base (63), a hinge receptacle (61) and a hinge head piece (62), wherein the respective hinge base (63) is attached in the corners of two edges of the upper plate (1) and the lower plate (5) and the hinge receptacle (61) is attached to the hinge base (63) in such a way that the hinge head piece (62) which consists of a part that can be connected to the hinge receptacle (61) and a bolt-like part for connection to the vertical post (4), said bolt-like part being pivotally mounted in the hinge receptacle (61), can only be rotated at an angle of up to 90° along one of the meeting edges.
9. The collapsible storage cabinet according to Claim 1,
   characterized in that the length of the vertical posts (4) is up to two times longer than the shortest side of the upper plate (1) or the lower plate (5).
10. The collapsible storage cabinet according to Claim 1,
    characterized in that that the upper plate (1) and the lower plate (5) have chamfered or rounded edges that are chamfered or rounded from the upper side towards the interior space where the upper plate (1) is concerned and from the lower side towards the interior space where the lower plate (5) is concerned and that the length of the chamfered or rounded edges is greater than the diameter of the vertical posts (4).
11. The collapsible storage cabinet according to Claim 10,
    characterized in that at least one securing means (8) is attached to the upper plate (1) and the lower plate (5) wherein said plates can be placed against each other.

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