EP3294501B1 - Storage equipment - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a storage device, having at least one storage container having a vertical axis, which has a container housing having a rectangular outline, on the outside in the upper region of its front a rotatable about a vertical axis to the vertical axis pivotable coupling bolt is mounted, one for locally unabsorbable Coupling of an attached to the top of the container housing additional object formed coupling structure.

One from the DE 20 2009 018 589 U1 or EP 2 315 701 B1 known storage device of this type contains one or more storage containers, which are suitable for storing any products such as tools or small items of iron. The storage container has a rectangular plan and is equipped with coupling means, which allow a mounted on it additional object - in particular an additional storage container - detachably coupled in an inseparable manner. To the coupling means includes a rotatably mounted in the upper region of the front of the container housing coupling bar, which is equipped with a coupling structure, which mates positively with a formed on the additional object to be coupled counter-coupling structure. In the known coupling bolt is a rotatable about any angle rotary latch, the over has a three-arm structure, wherein a coupling structure is formed on each of the three locking arms. When operating the coupling bolt, it requires some attention to set the desired rotational position for coupling and decoupling.

From the US 3,316,045 and the US 2002/0125159 A1 In each case a storage container is known, which has a one-piece body, in which a plurality of drawers are arranged to be pulled out and which has on its upper side a closed by means of a pivotally mounted closure lid opening.

The EP 1 658 160 B1 describes a storage container, which has a modular structure and composed of, for example, three in a height direction aufeinanderitzenden and paired with each other latched housing modules. In the height direction mutually adjacent housing modules bound each in common to the front of the container housing open towards receiving compartment in which a drawer element is arranged.

The invention has for its object to provide a storage device that allows a storage container with simple and reliable measures releasably coupled with a patch on him additional object.

To achieve this object is provided in conjunction with the features mentioned above, that the coupling bolt is a one-armed pivot bolt, which has a unilaterally projecting from the axis of rotation, the coupling structure having single locking arm and limited by a arranged on the container housing stop means to 90 ° Swivel angle only between an inactive standby position with an aligned perpendicular to the vertical axis locking arm and a coupling device for attaching an attached to the top of the container housing auxiliary object active coupling position with upright, in the axial direction of the vertical axis upwardly projecting locking arm is pivotable.

In this way, an additional object placed on the storage container can be simply and reliably coupled in a detachable manner to the storage container in such a way that it can no longer be lifted off the storage container at least locally in the region of the coupling bolt. Instead of a multi-arm rotary latch of the coupling bar is designed as a single-armed pivot bolt having only a single projecting from the axis of rotation locking arm on which the single coupling structure of the coupling bolt is arranged. The associated stop means, which are also arranged on the container housing of the storage container, give two pivotal movements of the pivot bolt exactly, which is on the one hand to an active coupling position and on the other to an inactive standby position. Beyond these two positions, the pivot bolt can not be pivoted so that the user of the storage container is able to position the pivot bolt securely and reliably in the desired pivot position even without eye contact. In the inactive standby position of the pivot bolt, the locking arm is oriented perpendicular to the height direction of the storage container and thereby assumes a total position in which it is lower than the top of the storage container and thus does not hinder a need-based placement or removal of an additional object. In the active coupling position, the locking arm extends parallel to the vertical axis of the container housing and protrudes beyond the top, so that it with a there parked additional object can enter into releasable coupling intervention.

Advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

The stop means expediently include two in a L-shaped configuration outside the front of the container housing arranged first and second stop legs. Of these two stop legs is the one, first stop legs responsible for the specification of the active coupling position, while the other, second stop leg specifies the inactive standby position.

The two stop legs are preferably integrally formed on the container housing. There may be a gap between the stop legs, so that the stop legs have no direct connection to each other. However, more expedient is an embodiment in which the two stop legs of opposite end portions of an externally formed on the container housing integrally formed stop rib, which has a right angle angled or bent longitudinal course. With such a stop rib, the pivot bearing zone for the pivot bolt, which is expediently bounded on one side laterally and at the bottom by the two stop limbs, is shielded over a wide range. In addition, results in this way, a high stability of the stop means and the risk of breaking off one or the other stop leg is considerably reduced.

In a stop rib provided with an angled or bent longitudinal course, the two stop legs are expediently in one piece by one between them located arcuate connecting portion of the stop rib connected to each other.

The two stop legs themselves are expediently also designed rib-shaped, wherein they preferably have a linear longitudinal extent.

It is advantageous if the pivot bolt is fixed releasably in the inactive standby position such that it does not automatically pivot in the direction of the active coupling position in case of vibrations or in oblique positioning of the container housing. Preferably, therefore, a detent means structure is arranged outside of the front of the container housing and in particular integrally formed, by which the pivoted in the inactive ready position swivel bolt is releasably latched releasably. The latching engagement can be canceled manually at any time with a slightly increased expenditure of force, in order to pivot the pivoting bolt into the active coupling position if necessary.

It is basically irrelevant with which components of the pivot bolt the locking means structure interacts. However, it is particularly advantageous if it cooperates with the locking arm. The locking arm has to cooperate with the latching means preferably via an independent, independent of the coupling structure counter-latching structure. Particularly simple is a design in which the counter-locking means structure is formed directly from the coupling structure of the locking arm.

It is advantageous if the storage container has a counter coupling structure that is complementary to the coupling structure of the locking arm on the outside in the lower area of its front side. In this way he can with his peers in the Stacked state can be coupled vertically. Preferably, the storage device is equipped with a plurality of storage containers, each having a one-armed pivot bar at the front and at the bottom of a counter-coupling structure, so that in the stacked state of several of these storage containers of each lower storage container of a pair of stacked storage containers by pivoting its pivot bolt can be positively coupled with the storage container arranged above it or, if necessary, can also be decoupled. Although the plurality of storage containers are identical in terms of their pivot bolt and their counter-coupling structures, but otherwise may well differ from each other, especially in their height. The floor plan is preferably the same for all storage containers. Of course, the plurality of storage containers may be formed at least partially completely identical. In the stacked state of two storage containers of sitting on top of the lower storage container storage container forms the above-mentioned additional object. On each storage container, however, other additional objects with the help of the pivot bolt can be at least partially fixed irretrievably, for example, a countertop.

The coupling structure and the counter-coupling structure are preferably hook-shaped profiled with complementary shaping. The hook profile has expediently an undercut profiling, so that adjusts a positive engagement in the coupled state not only in the height direction, but also in the direction perpendicular to the front depth direction of the storage container.

The at least one storage container preferably contains on its front side only a single pivot bolt, which is placed in particular in the center of the width. In principle, however, more than one and in particular two pivot bolt could be arranged at the front of the container housing.

There is also the possibility not only at the front, but in addition to at least one of the other outer sides of the container housing to provide a pivot bolt and preferably also a counter-coupling structure complementary thereto. If a plurality of pivot bolts are arranged distributed along the outline of the container housing, an additional object sitting on the storage container can be fixed solely by activating the plurality of pivot bolts such that it is completely removable from the storage container lying underneath.

Preferably, the at least one pivot bolt and the preferably also present counter-coupling structure components of coupling agents, which have even more components. These coupling means preferably include a top complementary coupling means disposed at the top of the storage container at a distance from the pivot bar, for releasably engaging a complementary bottom complementary coupling means disposed at the bottom of an additional object mounted on the container housing define at least one further area in which the additional object is coupled locally irretrievably with the underlying storage container. The plurality of coupling zones provided in this way ensure that the additional object attached to the storage container and coupled in its entirety is fixed inseparably on the storage container.

The storage container is expediently equipped on its underside with a lower supplementary coupling device which is complementary to the upper supplementary coupling device arranged on the upper side. This allows the storage container to be stacked with its equals and coupled to one another in an inseparable manner.

The upper supplementary coupling device expediently contains at least one engagement recess having an undercut cross-section, into which the lower supplementary coupling device can be brought into engagement with at least one engagement projection which also has an undercut cross-section.

The container housing of the at least one storage container expediently defines at least one housing interior, which is accessible either directly or after manipulation on one or more closure lids and / or one or more drawer elements for storing or removing objects. A container housing of preferred construction has at least one receiving compartment which is open with a compartment opening on a front side of the container housing and in which a drawer element can be pulled out and inserted. The container housing may contain a plurality of arranged in the height direction one above the other storage compartments, which are each equipped with its own drawer element.

It is particularly advantageous if the container housing has a modular construction and is arranged one above the other in a plurality of directions in the height direction of the container housing and in pairs is assembled together in mutually indepenable manner latched housing modules. In each case, two housing modules arranged directly one above the other define together a receiving compartment for a pull-out and insertable drawer element.

At the top of the container housing is conveniently equipped with a bow-shaped handle designed that allows easy manual transport of the storage container. The carrying handle is expediently mounted so pivotably on the upper side of the container housing, that it can be positioned optionally in a non-use position pivoted up to the container housing or in an upright upwardly projecting position of use. In the non-use position of the carrying handle is suitably sunk added in the container housing, so that the placement of an additional object is not affected.

If a plurality of storage containers are vertically coupled to each other by the coupling means and combined to form a stacked composite, this stackable composite can be transported very easily through the carrying handle of the uppermost storage container.

Each storage container is preferably also structured such that an additional object placed on it, which may in particular be a further storage container, is supported immovably perpendicular to the vertical axis. For this purpose, the storage container on its upper side expediently has one or more recesses, in which associated projections, which are arranged on the underside of the additional object, intervene, when the additional item is placed on the storage box.

Figur 1

eine sich aus zwei Aufbewahrungsbehältern zusammensetzende Aufbewahrungseinrichtung, wobei die beiden Aufbewahrungsbehälter im aufeinandergestapelten und in Höhenrichtung voneinander unabhebbar gekoppelten Zustand illustriert sind,

Figur 2

die Aufbewahrungseinrichtung aus Figur 1 im voneinander abgehobenen Zustand der beiden Aufbewahrungsbehälter,

Figur 3

eine Vorderansicht der Aufbewahrungseinrichtung aus Figur 1,

Figur 4

einen vertikalen Schnitt durch die Aufbewahrungseinrichtung im aufeinandersitzenden Zustand der beiden Aufbewahrungsbehälter gemäß Schnittlinie IV-IV aus Figur 3,

Figur 5

einen weiteren vertikalen Schnitt durch die Aufbewahrungseinrichtung gemäß Schnittlinie V-V aus Figur 3, wobei die Schnittebene durch die Drehachse der Schwenkriegel verläuft, und

Figur 6

einen einzelnen Aufbewahrungsbehälter der Aufbewahrungseinrichtung, der sich unter anderem in der Bauhöhe von dem in den anderen Figuren jeweils zweifach abgebildeten Aufbewahrungsbehälter unterscheidet.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this show:

FIG. 1

a storage device composed of two storage containers, wherein the two storage containers are illustrated in a condition stacked on each other and vertically liftable from each other,

FIG. 2

the storage device FIG. 1 in the raised state of the two storage containers,

FIG. 3

a front view of the storage device FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4

a vertical section through the storage device in the juxtaposed state of the two storage containers according to section line IV-IV FIG. 3 .

FIG. 5

a further vertical section through the storage device according to section line VV of Figure 3, wherein the cutting plane passes through the axis of rotation of the pivot bolt, and

FIG. 6

a single storage container of the storage device, which differs inter alia in the height of the in the other figures each twice illustrated storage container.

The storage device, designated in its entirety by reference number 1, contains one or more storage containers 2, each having at least one housing interior 3 and thereby being able to store any parts, such as tools, during their disuse.

The peculiarity of each storage container 2 is that an additional object 4 can be placed on it, which can be coupled by means of coupling means 5 of the storage container 2 with the storage container 2 to produce a coherent and uniformly transportable stack composite 7.

In the simplest case, the storage device 1 contains only a single equipped with the coupling means 5 storage container 2, which is based on the embodiment of FIG. 6 true. With this storage container 2, any additional object can be stacked and coupled, which has over the coupling means 5 of the storage container 2 matching own coupling means. This can for example be a worktop or table top or a box. Likewise, the additional object 4 may be a further storage container, which in particular is of the same type as the storage container 2 equipped with the coupling means 5.

The storage device 1 contains in a preferred embodiment except the storage container 2 for stacking and coupling with this storage container 2 suitable additional object 4, which is based on the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5 true. It is particularly advantageous if the additional object 4 is a further storage container 2, which is equipped in the same way as the former storage container 2 with coupling means 5. It is then possible to stack several of the storage containers 2 in a direction illustrated by a dotted line height direction 6 and the two immediately superimposed storage container 2 using the coupling means 5 to couple together so that they can not be lifted apart in the height direction 6 are. It is then an example from FIGS. 1 and 3 to 5 apparent stack composite 7, which is a total liftable by a substrate that the top storage container 2 is detected and raised.

It is particularly useful if the storage device 1 composed of at least two or even more storage containers 2, which coincide in their layout and in the design of their coupling means 5. The height of at least several of these storage containers 2 may be identical, as well as the possibility exists at all, form a plurality of the storage container 2 of the storage device 1 as a whole identical. On the other hand, several of the storage container 2 may differ in their height from each other, which has the advantage that then storage container 2 are available with different storage volume, regardless of their different height to the stack composite 7 can be coupled.

In the drawing is in FIG. 6 a storage container 2 illustrated, the coupling means 5 with those of the in the FIGS. 1 to 5 mapped storage containers 2 match, but has a larger height.

Such according to FIG. 6 trained storage container 2 may, for example, with one or more of in FIGS. 1 to 5 illustrated storage container 2 to the storage device 1, so that the storage device 1 has a plurality of storage containers 2 different heights, which are stackable and coupled to each other in the height direction.

If the coupling means 5, which is the case in the case, in all storage containers 2 are made coincident, this has the advantage that the stacking order of the storage container 2 is arbitrary. It is therefore possible, with reference to the exemplary embodiments, to place either a higher storage container 2 below a lower storage container 2 or vice versa.

The storage containers 2 illustrated in the drawing all have the same layout and are provided with the same coupling means 5. Any existing differences are limited to measures that affect the height and the capacity and possibly the usability of the capacity.

Due to the far-reaching agreement, the following statements apply to all illustrated storage containers 2. If there are differences, these are expressly addressed.

Each storage container 2 has a container housing 12 with a vertical axis 13, wherein the axial direction of the vertical axis 13 is also referred to below as height direction 13. The storage containers 2 are stackable in any number in such a way in their height direction 13 that the vertical axes 13 all stacked storage container 2 coincide with the height direction 6 of the stack composite 7.

The container housing 12 has a rectangular plan with a depth direction of the container housing 12 defining the longitudinal axis 14 and a perpendicular thereto transverse axis 15, the axial direction determines the width direction of the container housing 12. Overall, the container housing 12 preferably has a cuboidal basic structure.

In the usual position of use of the storage container 2, the vertical axis 13 of the container housing 12 is vertically aligned.

The storage container 2 has a front side 16 oriented in the axial direction of the longitudinal axis 14 and a rear side 17 oriented in the opposite direction. Furthermore, the container housing 12 has two lateral outer sides 18, 19 oriented opposite one another in the axial direction of the transverse axis 15.

The use of the housing interior 3 for storing parts enabling means of any kind. Thus, the storage container 2, for example, have an upwardly facing access opening through which the housing interior 3 is accessible and which is either permanently open or a removable or pivotable closure lid assigned.

By way of example, the housing interior 3 is made accessible for use in that the container housing 12 defines at least one receiving compartment 22 for a drawer element 23. Depending on the embodiment, the container housing 12 contains only a single receiving compartment 22 - this applies to the embodiment of the FIGS. 1 to 5 - or a plurality of receiving compartments 22, which are arranged one above the other in the height direction 13. The latter is in the embodiment of FIG. 6 the case in which the container housing 12 contains a total of three receiving compartments 22 arranged one above the other. In principle, the number of subjects is arbitrary and based on the need for storage options.

Each receptacle 22 is accessible from the outside by its own, arranged on the front side 16 compartment opening 24. In each receptacle 22, a drawer element 23 is arranged, which in the context of a in FIG. 4 indicated by a double arrow working movement 25, which is oriented in the axial direction of the longitudinal axis 14, either from the associated receiving compartment 22 can be pulled out or in the receptacle 22 in question is inserted.

The container housing 12 forms a compartment side wall 26 for each receiving compartment 22, which limits the associated receiving compartment 22 at the sides oriented at right angles to the vertical axis 13, except in the region of the compartment opening 24. Preferably, each compartment side wall 26, apart from the access to the drawer element 23 enabling compartment opening 24 extends as a closed wall around the associated receiving compartment 22 around.

Each drawer element 24 expediently has a bottom wall 27, which is preferably plate-shaped. On the edge side around the bottom wall 27 there extends an outer wall 28 of the drawer element 23 projecting upwards in the height direction 13, which together with the bottom wall 27 delimits a drawer interior 32 serving to store parts. Is the drawer element 23 at the front 16 of the container housing 12 at least partially pulled out of the associated receiving compartment 22, the upwardly open drawer interior 32 is accessible for inserting or removing parts.

On the outside of the drawer interior 32 facing away from a front in the inserted state in the region of the compartment opening 24 front outer wall portion 33 of the drawer element 23 a handle 34 is expediently arranged on which the drawer element 23 can be detected to pull it out of the receptacle 22 or back into the Move back tray 22.

The container housing 12 may have a one-piece or multi-part structure. Particularly advantageous is a modular structure in which the container housing 12 composed of a plurality of arranged in the height direction 13 one above the other and in pairs in each case inseparable manner latched together housing modules 35. Two housing modules 35, arranged directly one above the other, jointly delimit one of the receiving compartments 22 described above.

Preferably, the package modules 35 include a lower package termination module 35a and an upper package termination module 35b. If the storage container 2 only a single receptacle 22 have, these two lower and upper housing termination modules 35a, 35b are directly attached to each other and firmly connected. In order to realize a plurality of storage compartments 22, any number of intermediate housing modules 35c are incorporated between the lower housing termination module 35a and the upper enclosure termination module 35b. Each housing intermediate module 35c delimits two storage compartments 22 arranged one above the other. The more receiving containers 22, the more intermediate housing modules 35c are incorporated between the lower housing termination module 35a and the upper housing termination module 35b.

In the following, the coupling means 5 are described in more detail, which are identical in all embodiments of the storage container 2.

The coupling means 5 comprise a coupling bolt 42 arranged on the outside of the container housing 12 in the upper region of the front side 16, which is designed as a one-armed pivoting bolt 43. The pivot bolt 43 is pivotable about an axis of rotation 44 relative to the container housing 12, wherein the pivoting movement is illustrated by double arrows 45. The axis of rotation 44 extends at right angles to the vertical axis 13 and, more specifically, extends in the axial direction of the longitudinal axis 14 of the container housing 12.

The container housing 12 has an upper side 46 pointing upwards in the height direction. At this upper side 46, the container housing 12 has an upper footprint 47 on which the additional object 4 placed on the storage container 2, in particular a further storage container 2, rests. The axis of rotation 44 is vertically below the upper shelf 47th

Based on the container width measured in the axial direction of the transverse axis 15, the axis of rotation 44 of the pivoting bolt 43 is preferably placed centrally. It is expediently also only a single pivot bolt 43 on the front side 16 of the container housing 12. The coupling means 5 present in the embodiment are also characterized by the fact that except the arranged on the front 16 pivot bolt 43 no further pivot bolt 43 more is present and that expediently all other components of the coupling means 5 are immovable with respect to the container housing 12 carrying them.

The one-armed pivot bolt 43 has a single, radially projecting from the rotation axis 44 locking arm 48. This locking arm 48 is preferably formed tab-like.

The locking arm 48 has an arm longitudinal axis 52 which extends radially with respect to the axis of rotation 44. In the region of one of its two axial end sections, which is referred to below as the bearing section 53, the locking arm 48 is rotatably mounted about the axis of rotation 44. To define the axis of rotation 44, a rearwardly projecting rotary bearing extension 54 is expediently integrally formed on the bearing section 53, which rotatably engages in a bearing recess 55 of the front housing wall 56 of the container housing 12 assigned to the front side 16. Preferably, the pivot bolt 43 is thereby immovably fixed in the axial direction of the rotation axis 44 on the container housing 12, that the pivot bearing extension 54 is latched to the bearing recess 55.

At a radial distance from the bearing section 53, the locking arm 48 has a coupling structure 57 on its rear side facing the container housing 12. This coupling structure 57 is preferably hook-shaped profiled and has a projecting in the direction of the rotation axis 44 coupling projection 57 a. This coupling projection 57a defines a coupling recess 57b of the coupling structure 57, which is located on the side facing away from the container housing 12 of the coupling projection 57a.

The coupling means 5 of the storage container 2 further includes a design adapted to the coupling structure 57 Counter-coupling structure 58. It is like the pivot bolt 43 on the front side 16 of the container housing 12 and is integrally formed there in particular integrally on the front housing wall 56. The counter-coupling structure 58 and the axis of rotation 44 of the pivoting bolt 43 lie on a common axis, which runs parallel to the vertical axis 13. Consequently, in the usual position of use of the storage container 2, the counter-coupling structure 58 is arranged directly vertically below the rotation axis 44, wherein it is located in the lower region of the front side 16 of the container housing 12.

The container housing 12 is bounded on its underside by a lower bottom surface 59 on the outside. In the stacked state of two storage containers 2, the upper storage container 2 sits with its lower bottom surface 59 expediently on the upper footprint 47 on the upper side 46 of the lower container housing 12.

The counter-coupling structure 58 is expediently arranged in the immediate vicinity of the lower bottom surface 59 on the front side 16 of the container housing 12 in relation to the height direction 13.

The stationary, that is immovably arranged on the container housing 12 counter-coupling structure 58 is complementary to the arranged on the pivotable pivot bolt 43 coupling structure 57 is formed. In the exemplary embodiment, it contains an upwardly projecting counter-coupling projection 58a, which is slightly upstream of the front housing wall 56, so that together with this front housing wall 56, it delimits a counter-coupling recess 58b.

If two storage containers 2 are placed on one another, the counter-coupling structure 58 of the upper storage container 2 assumes a position above the axis of rotation 44 of the pivot bar 43 of the storage container 2 placed underneath. The distance of the counter-coupling structure 58 from the axis of rotation 44 is dimensioned so that the counter-coupling structure 58 can be engaged by the coupling structure 57 of the locking arm 48 when the pivot bolt 43 is pivoted into an active coupling position.

In the FIGS. 1 to 5 the pivot bolt 43 of the lower storage container 2 is shown taking the active coupling position. In this active coupling position, the locking arm 48 protrudes vertically upward from the axis of rotation 44 and, with its longitudinal section having the coupling structure 57, projects above the upper footprint 47 upwards. The height-wise projection is selected so that the coupling structure 57 engages over the adjacent counter-coupling structure 58 at the top.

Thus, the coupling structure 57 dips with its coupling projection 57a from above into the counter-coupling recess 58b of the counter-coupling structure 58, which in turn with its upstanding counter-coupling projection 58a dips into the coupling recess 57b of the coupling structure 57.

On the one hand results in this way in the height direction 13, a positive connection between the coupling structure 57 and the counter-coupling structure 58, which ensures that the upper storage container 2 in the region of its front 16 can not be lifted from the lower storage container 2. On the other hand, by the mutual engagement between the coupling structure taking place in the height direction 13 57 and the counter-coupling structure 58 also achieved a positive connection in the depth direction of the container housing, so that the coupling engagement is not lost even if the upper storage container 2 should move slightly in a perpendicular to the vertical axis 13 horizontal plane with respect to the lower storage container 2.

At the front 16 outside of the container housing 12 arranged and in particular integrally formed stop means 62 limit the pivot angle of the pivot bolt 43 to 90 °. One of the two predetermined by the abutment means 62 pivot end positions of the pivot bolt 43 is the already mentioned active coupling position in which the locking arm 48 is positioned upright and protrudes in the axial direction of the vertical axis 13 upwards. The second predetermined by the abutment means 62 pivot end position of the pivot bolt 43 is an inactive ready position, the in FIG. 6 and is set in the other figures in the above-arranged storage container 2. In this inactive ready position, the locking arm 48 is aligned at right angles to the vertical axis 13, that is, its longitudinal axis 52 extends in a direction perpendicular to the vertical axis 13 horizontal plane.

In the inactive ready position of the pivoting bolt 43, the coupling with the counter-coupling structure 58 of the storage container 2 arranged above is released and the same can be detached or put on again without hindrance.

The stop means 62 comprise two in a L-shaped configuration on the outside of the front housing wall 56 of the container housing 12 arranged first and second stop legs 63, 64. The first stop leg 63 is used to specify the active Coupling position and extending in the axial direction of the vertical axis 13. The lower in the height direction 13 than the first stop leg 63 placed second stop leg 64 is used to specify the inactive standby position and extends at right angles to the vertical axis thirteenth

The two stop legs 63, 64 are arranged similar to the two mutually perpendicular sides of a right triangle. Together they limit a pivot bearing zone 66, in which the locking arm 48 is rotatably mounted with its pivot bearing extension 54. The pivot bearing zone 66 is above the horizontal second stop leg 64 and at the same time next to the vertical first stop leg 63rd

It is advantageous if the two stop legs 63, 64 are integrally connected to each other via an arcuate connecting portion 65. The two stop legs 63, 64 and the connecting portion 65 then together form a one-piece stop rib 67, whose end portions have a straight course and each one of the two stop legs 63, 64 form. The pivot bearing zone 66 is located on the concave side of the curved connecting portion 65.

The coupling structure 57 and the counter-coupling structure 58 are preferably coordinated so that these two structures 57, 58 in the active coupling position of the pivot bolt 43 in the rotational direction 45 are releasably locked together. In this way it can be prevented by simple means that the coupling engagement in case of shocks of the container assembly accidentally dissolves.

It is also advantageous if the pivot latch 43 in the inactive standby position by latching with respect the container housing 12 is fixed so that initially a slightly increased force is required for pivoting in the active coupling position.

Such Verrastungsmöglichkeit is given in the embodiments. Here, on the front side 16 on the outer side of the container housing 12 in that region which is covered by the locking arm 48 located in the inactive ready position, a latching means structure 68 is arranged and in particular integrally formed. The locking means structure 68 expediently projects beyond the front housing wall 56. The locking arm 48 is provided on its rear side facing the container housing 12 with a counter-latching means structure 69, which is in releasable latching engagement with the latching means structure 68, when the pivot latch 43 is pivoted or is in the inactive standby position.

The counter-latching structure 69 is expediently formed in addition to the coupling structure 57 on the latch arm 48. However, the counter-latching structure 69 may also be formed directly by the coupling structure 57.

The coupling means 5 expediently also contain an upper supplementary coupling device 72 formed on the upper side 46 of the container housing 12 and a lower supplementary coupling device 73 formed on the underside 59 of the container housing 12. If two storage containers 2 are stacked on top of each other, the upper storage container 2 engages its lower supplementary coupling device 73 from above into the upper supplementary coupling device 72 of the storage container 2 arranged underneath. This results in at least in the axial direction of the longitudinal axis 14, an undercut, the The result is that the two supplementary coupling devices 72, 73 are no longer vertically separable, once they are in mutual engagement with each other.

Since the two supplementary coupling devices 72, 73 are arranged in the axial direction of the longitudinal axis 14 spaced from the pivot bolt 43 and the counter-latching structure 69, a total of multiple vertical coupling results in a horizontal plane to the vertical axis 13, which has the effect that the two storage containers 2 are coupled together from each other inseparably.

The upper supplementary coupling device 72 expediently consists of one or more engagement recesses 74, while the lower supplementary coupling device 73 consists of one or more engagement projections 75. Each engagement recess 74 as well as each engagement projection 75 has an undercut cross-section, so that a form-fitting connection in the height direction 13 is established in the meshing state.

In the embodiment, the upper and lower supplementary couplers 72, 73 are adapted to engage with each other in the inoperative standby position of the pivoting latch 43 when the upper storage box 2 is inclined to the lower storage box in a forwardly raised inclination from above 2 is set. During the further coupling process, the upper storage container 2 is pivoted downwards in the region of the front side until it rests entirely on the upper storage surface 47 of the lower storage container 2. As a last step to completely unobtainable coupling of the two storage container 2 is still the pivot bolt 43rd of the lower storage container 2 is pivoted to the active coupling position.

The upper and lower supplementary coupling devices 72, 73 are expediently similar to those of the aforementioned DE 20 2009 018 589 U1 realized known design.

On the upper side 46, the container housing 12 is expediently equipped with a bow-shaped carrying handle 77, which allows easy manual transport of the storage container 2 or the stack assembly 7. The carrying handle 77 is expediently mounted so pivotably on the upper side 46 of the container housing 12, that it can be positioned optionally in a not pivoted to the container housing 12 non-use position or in an upright upstanding position of use. In the non-use position of the carrying handle 77 is suitably sunk in a recess 46 formed on the upper side 46 in the container housing 12, so that the placement of an additional object 4 is not affected.

If a plurality of storage containers 2 are vertically coupled together by the coupling means 5 and combined to form a stack composite 7, this stack composite 7 can be transported very simply by using the carrying handle 77 of the uppermost storage container 2.

Claims (15)

1. Storage device with at least one storage container (2) having a height axis (13), which has a container housing (12) of rectangular layout, on which in the upper region of its front side (16) is supported a coupling bar (42) that can rotate about an axis of rotation (44) at right angles to the height axis (13), which comprises a coupling structure (57) designed for the locally non-removable coupling of an additional object (4) placed on the upper side (46) of the container housing (12), characterised in that the coupling bar (42) is a pivot bar (43) having only one arm, which is provided with a single bar arm (48) projecting away from the axis of rotation (44) on one side and comprising the coupling structure (57), and able to swivel about a swivel angle restricted to 90° by stop means (62) arranged on the container housing (12) exclusively between an inactive readiness position with the bar arm (48) aligned at right angles to the height axis (13), and an active coupling position serving for the coupling of an additional object (4) placed on the upper side (46) of the container housing (12) with the bar arm (48) upright projecting upwardly in the axial direction of the height axis (13).
2. Storage device according to claim 1, characterised in that the stop means (62) contain two first and second stop arms (63, 64) arranged in a L-shaped configuration externally on the container housing (12), a first stop arm (63) of which serving to specify the active coupling position extends in the axial direction of the height axis (13) and a second stop arm (64) of which serving to specify the inactive readiness position extends at right angles thereto.
3. Storage device according to claim 2, characterised in that the two stop arms (63, 64) delimit laterally and downwardly a pivot bearing region (66), in which the pivot bar (43) is rotatably mounted on the container housing (12).
4. Storage device according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the two stop arms (63, 64) are formed from the mutually opposite end sections of a stop rib (67) formed in one piece externally on the container housing (12) and comprising a longitudinal extension that is angled or bent at right angles.
5. Storage device according to claim 4, characterised in that the stop rib (67) comprises an arcuate connecting section (65) connecting the two stop arms (63, 64) in one piece, whose concave side faces towards the axis of rotation (44) of the pivot bar (43).
6. Storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that a latch means structure (68) that is in releasable latch engagement with the bar arm (40) in the inactive readiness position and thereby detachably fixes the inactive readiness position, is arranged externally on the front side (16) of the container housing (12).
7. Storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the at least one storage container (2) has externally in the lower region of its front side a counter-coupling structure (58) that is complementary to the coupling structure (57) of the bar arm (48) of its pivot bar (43), with which a rotatable coupling bar (42) of an additional object (4) placed underneath the storage container (2), in particular a further storage container (2), can be releasably coupled.
8. Storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that an additional object (4) is a component of the storage device (1) that can be placed on the upper side (46) of the storage container (2) and has externally in the lower region of its front side (16) a counter-coupling structure (58) that is complementary to the coupling structure (57) of the bar arm (48) of the pivot bar (43) of the storage container (2), with which the coupling structure (57) of the bar arm (48) when swivelled into the active coupling position is in coupling engagement in a manner preventing a local removal of the additional object (4) placed on the upper side (46) of the storage container (2).
9. Storage device according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that the coupling structure (57) and the counter-coupling structure (58) are profiled in a hook-shaped manner complementary to one another.
10. Storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that an additional object (4) is one of several storage containers (2) of the storage device (1) that can be stacked on top of one another in the axial direction of the height axis (13).
11. Storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the at least one storage container (2) has on the upper side (46) of its container housing (12) an upper supplementary coupling device (72) arranged spaced from the pivot bar (43), which can be brought into releasable engagement with or is in releasable engagement with a complementary lower supplementary coupling device (73) arranged on the lower side (59) of an additional object (4) placed on the container housing (12), in order to couple the additional object (4) in its totality vertically and in a non-removable manner with the storage container (2) arranged thereunder.
12. Storage device according to claim 11, characterised in that the at least one storage container (2) has on its lower side (59) a lower supplementary coupling device (73) complementary to the upper supplementary coupling device (72).
13. Storage device according to claim 11 or 12, characterised in that the upper supplementary coupling device (72) consists of at least one engagement depression (74) having an undercut cross-section and the lower supplementary coupling device (73) consists of at least one engagement projection (75) having an undercut cross-section.
14. Storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the container housing (12) of the at least one storage container (2) has at least one open receiving compartment (22) with a compartment opening (24) on a front side (16) of the container housing (12), and also a drawer member (23) that can be arranged in a retractable and insertable manner in the receiving compartment (22).
15. Storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterised in that the container housing (12) of the at least one storage container (2) has a modular construction and is composed of multiple housing modules arranged above one another in the axial direction of the height axis (13) and inseparably latched to one another in pairs, wherein in each case two housing modules (35) arranged directly above one another together define a receiving compartment (22) accommodating a retractable and insertable drawer member (23).

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