EP3325221A1

EP3325221A1 - Storage container

Info

Publication number: EP3325221A1
Application number: EP15742019.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Lutz Wolle; Markus Barabeisch
Original assignee: TTS Tooltechnic Systems AG and Co KG
Current assignee: TTS Tooltechnic Systems AG and Co KG
Priority date: 2015-07-24
Filing date: 2015-07-24
Publication date: 2018-05-30
Anticipated expiration: 2035-07-24
Also published as: WO2017016574A1; EP3325221B1; US10314399B2; US20180213934A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage container (1) that has a container housing (2) in which at least one receiving compartment (10) is formed, and a drawer element (12) which can be pulled out and retracted is located in the receiving compartment. Pull out-limiting means (14) prevent the drawer element (12) from being accidentally pulled out beyond a maximum pull-out operating position. The pull out-limiting means (14) have stop tongues (66) which can be pivoted against lateral outer wall sections (63, 64) of the drawer element (12) by means of elastic deformation and each of which comprises a stop protrusion (73) that protrudes outwards. A counter stop edge (82) which is arranged on the container housing (2) is located in the pull-out path of each stop protrusion (73). If the drawer element (12) is pulled out completely, the stop tongues (66) can be bent by being manually acted upon such that the respective stop protrusion (73) can pass by the counter stop edge (82).

Description

Storage containers

The invention relates to a storage container, comprising a container housing which has at least one receptacle openable with a compartment opening at a front side of the container housing and a drawer element which can be pulled out and inserted into the receptacle in a longitudinal direction of the container housing, wherein the drawer element has a drawer interior to form a drawer interior Bottom wall and projecting from the bottom wall outer wall with two in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction transverse direction of the container housing with spaced opposite lateral outer wall sections, and with

Ausziehbegrenzungsmitteln for limiting the withdrawal of the drawer element from the receiving compartment.

Such a storage container is known from US 5,603,559. This known storage container has a container housing which forms a plurality of receiving compartments arranged one above the other in a height direction, in each of which a drawer element can be pulled out and inserted in a longitudinal direction of the container housing which coincides with the depth direction. For its operation, each drawer element in the region of the located at the front of the container housing compartment opening of the receiving compartment has a handle easy to grasp enabling. In order to prevent the drawer element is accidentally pulled too far, the storage box with

Ausziehbegrenzungsmitteln equipped, which have a arranged at the top of the rear outer wall portion of the drawer element Hubbegrenzungsanschlag, which is associated with a designed in the region of the compartment opening at the top of the receiving compartment counter-stop. The drawer element can be pulled so far out of the receptacle until it hits with the Hubbegrenzungsanschlag on the housing-side counter-stop. The disadvantage is that the drawer element, if it is yet to be completely removed from the receptacle, must be raised in the region of its front, so that the Hubbegrenzungsanschlag out of engagement with the counter-stop. In the associated inclination of the drawer element located in the drawer interior parts can slip or even fall out of the drawer interior.

From EP 1 658 160 B1, a storage container is known, which consists of several placed one above the other in a height direction and locked together in pairs

Housing modules composed. In the height direction mutually adjacent housing modules bound each in each case together to the front of the container housing open towards receiving compartment in which a drawer element is arranged in a retractable and retractable manner.

Also from US 5,544,751 a storage container is known which has a plurality of vertically aufeinander sitting and latched together housing modules, which in pairs each define a receiving compartment for a drawer element.

DE 10 2012 107 955 AI discloses a container with a bottom wall, two left and right side walls and a Rear wall, with the possibility of stacking several such containers on top of each other and to lock together. Each container can hold a pull-out drawer.

In DE 20 2009 018 589 a container arrangement is disclosed, which is composed of a plurality of stackable containers, which are vertically coupled by means of a rotary latch.

US 3,316,045 and US 2002/0125159 AI each describe a storage container with a one-piece body in which a plurality of drawers are arranged to be pulled out and which has at the top an opening which is closed by means of a pivotally mounted closure lid.

The invention has for its object to take measures to allow a simple way a complete removal of a limited in its withdrawal movement drawer element from a receiving compartment of a container housing.

To solve this problem is provided in conjunction with the features mentioned that the

Ausziehbegrenzungsmittel on the two lateral outer wall portions of the drawer element each have a by elastic deformation in the transverse direction of the container housing pivotable stop tongue each having at least one in the transverse direction of the drawer interior outwardly projecting stop projection, and that on the container housing in the two lateral edge regions of the compartment opening respectively a counter-abutment edge arranged in the pull-out path of one of the stop projections is present, to which the assigned stop projection when pulling out the drawer element for preselecting the maximum is pulled out Operating position can accrue, wherein the stop tongues are reversible by manual application reversible inward toward the drawer interior in a release position to allow complete withdrawal of the drawer element from the receiving compartment.

In this way it is effectively prevented that the drawer element is inadvertently pulled out too far from the associated receiving compartment in the normal use of the storage container. The pull-out limiting means predetermine the maximally pulled-out operating position of the drawer element, in that the stop projection arranged on the stop tongue strikes the housing-fixed counter stop edge arranged in its pull-out path in the region of the compartment opening. The stop tongue is preferably positioned relative to the longitudinal direction of the drawer element so that the drawer element maintains a stable horizontal position in the maximally pulled-out operating position and does not tilt downwards. If the drawer element but once completely removed from the receptacle, for example, to spend it together with its contents to a workplace or even just to clean it, the stop tongues can be pressed, for example, with one finger of one hand inward toward the drawer interior so that the stop projections are pivoted out of the collision area with the counter stop edges. In this state, the drawer element can be completely pulled out of the receiving compartment, wherein the stop projections can pass their respective assigned counter-stop edge. After the subsequent release, the stop tongues due to the elastic deformation spring back from the release position into the limit position

chargeable basic position back. To re-insert the drawer element in the receptacle are the Stop tongues pivoted again into the release position, which in turn can be done directly manually or preferably by the fact that the stop tabs are automatically pivoted in contact with the container housing for a short time in the release position. Since the drawer element can be kept in a horizontal position both when removing and when reinserting the drawer contents of the corresponding operations remains unaffected.

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

The stop tongues are preferably placed on the lateral outer wall sections such that they come to lie in the maximally pulled-out operating position of the drawer element with a longitudinal section outside the receiving compartment. At this length section, they can be conveniently applied manually to pivot them from the undeformed basic position to the release position.

The stationary against the container housing arranged counter-abutment edges are advantageously formed on boundary wall portions of the container housing, which limit the compartment opening of the receiving compartment to the oriented in the transverse direction sides. In this way, directly the wall of the container housing can be used to form the counter-stop edges.

It is also advantageous if the stop projections are designed barb-shaped at their oriented in the pull-out of the drawer element back, wherein the back thereby resulting oblique stop surface opposite to a corresponding inclination obliquely counter-striking surface of a counter stop edge. At the Pulling out the drawer element reach the inclined abutment surfaces with the also oblique Gegenanschlagflachen in contact, so that the stopper projections catch with the counter stop edges and even with very strong pulling force pulling the drawer element is prevented from the receiving compartment. In this way, it can be effectively avoided that the stop tongues pivot into the release position even with improperly strong pulling on the drawer element.

At its pointing in the direction of insertion of the drawer element front stop projections are expediently provided with an inclined sliding surface, which is oriented so that it is increasingly removed in the pull-out of the drawer element from the drawer interior. These sliding surfaces facilitate the reinsertion of the drawer element in the receiving compartment, because they are a direct manual loading of the stop tongues for

Make pivoting into the release position unnecessary. When inserting the drawer element into the receiving compartment, the sliding surfaces come into contact with stationary counterpart bodies arranged on the container housing, against which they slide and at the same time are pivoted with elastic deformation in the direction of the interior of the drawer. The counter stop bodies expediently also define the counterstop edges which are effective for limiting the pull-out movement.

It would be possible, for example, to place the stop tongues so that they protrude beyond the outline of the lateral outer wall sections of the drawer element. However, it is more advantageous if they are placed within the outline of the respectively associated lateral outer wall section, as they are in this way the for receiving the Drawer element does not affect required compartment depth of the receiving compartment.

Particularly suitable embodiment is considered, in which the stop tongues are each arranged in a wall opening of the associated lateral outer wall portion of the drawer element. Regardless of the location of their attachment, it is in any case advantageous if the stop tongues are formed integrally with their associated lateral outer wall portion. The lateral outer wall section is expediently like the stop tongue made of a plastic material.

Preferably, each stop tongue is designed so that it has an elongated support arm, which is integrally and elastically bendable in a transition region connected to the associated lateral outer wall portion and carries at a location spaced from the transition area the preferably integrally formed stop projection. The stopper projection is arranged in particular on a free end region of the support arm, which is opposite to the transition region between the support arm and the lateral outer wall section. It is advantageous if the support arm is designed to be flexible in its entirety in its longitudinal section extending between the transition region and the stop projection.

For easy actuation of the stop tongues, it is advantageous if the support arm of the stop tongue has a raised actuating structure on the outside facing away from the drawer interior, for example a ribbed elevation. In this way, the user of the storage container is visualized the optimal force introduction area for actuating the stop tongues. The stop tabs are preferably aligned so that they extend from the transition region to the lateral outer wall portion in the insertion direction of the drawer element.

If the stop tongue is arranged in a wall opening of the lateral outer wall section, it is advantageous if its support arm extends in a common plane with the lateral outer wall section and only the stop projection protrudes beyond the wall outer surface of the lateral outer wall section facing away from the drawer interior. The stop tongue can be realized in this way in the manner of a punched out within the outline of the lateral outer wall portion. However, it is produced together with the entire drawer element body, preferably by injection molding of a plastic material.

At the drawer interior facing away from outside of the compartment opening associated front outer wall section of each drawer element is expediently provided with a usable for pulling out and also to hold in the fully extended state handle.

The storage container is preferably portable. For its easy transport, it expediently has at least one carrying handle, which is preferably located on the outside of the container housing at the top. During transport, the drawer element is expediently inserted completely into the receiving compartment assigned to it. Preferably locking means are provided which allow a releasable fixed housing locking each drawer element in its fully inserted into the associated receiving compartment position. The bottom wall of the drawer element is expediently plate-shaped. The outer wall of the drawer element expediently projects upwards from the outer edge region of the bottom wall and extends around the bottom wall.

Preferably, the drawer element is designed lidless. However, it is readily possible to provide the drawer element with a removable or swing-up lid with which the drawer interior can be covered at its top. In this context, it is also possible to form the drawer element in turn in the manner of a suitcase-like container, for example in the manner of a shell suitcase.

The container housing of the storage container can be designed so that it defines only a single receptacle for a drawer element. However, if a larger receiving volume is to be made available, which can be used variably, it is advantageous if a plurality in the height direction of the container housing stacked receiving compartments are formed in the container housing, each receiving their own drawer element, each of these drawer elements pull-out limiting means of the type described assigned.

The container housing may be integrally formed at least in the area defining the at least one receiving compartment. However, in order to be able to produce storage containers with different receiving volumes at low cost, it is advantageous if the container housing has a modular construction and consists of a plurality of housing modules arranged one above the other in the height direction of the container housing and coupled in pairs in mutually independent manner. is sammengesetzt, with two directly superimposed housing modules together define a receiving compartment for a drawer element. For pairwise coupling of the housing modules locking connection devices are expediently present, which may be in principle of a detachable type, but are preferably of permanent design, so that they are able to hold the housing modules firmly together in the height direction.

Although not mandatory in the modular construction, it is advantageous if at least one or each receptacle is bounded laterally by a compartment sidewall formed jointly by an upwardly projecting upper module sidewall of a lower housing module and a lower module protruding downwardly Side wall of the immediately above housing module composed.

If a plurality of storage compartments arranged one above the other are to be realized in the storage container, it is advantageous if at least one or each housing module arranged between two storage compartments is designed as a housing intermediate module which has a module horizontal wall extending transversely to the height direction of the container housing between the two storage compartments an edge side integrally arranged on the module horizontal wall, upstanding upper module side wall and an edge side

integrally arranged on the module horizontal wall having the module horizontal wall downwardly projecting lower module side wall. In this way, the housing intermediate module at the same time contributes to the formation of both a tray arranged above the receiving compartment bounding sidewall and a compartment below the receiving compartment limiting compartment side wall. The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this show:

Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention

Storage container in perspective view wherein the storage container has a plurality of each equipped with a drawer element storage compartments,

FIG. 2 shows the storage container from FIG. 1 in the state of differently drawn out drawer elements;

Figure 3 is a front view of the storage container of

FIGS. 1 and 2 viewed in the direction of arrow III from FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 shows a horizontal section through the storage container according to the sectional plane IV-IV from FIG. 3, the illustrated drawer element being completely inserted into the associated receiving compartment,

Figure 5 shows another horizontal section according to sectional plane

V-V of Figure 3, wherein the associated drawer element into the through

Ausziehbegrenzungsmittel predetermined maximum operating position is pulled out of the receptacle,

Figure 6 shows a further horizontal section of the storage container according to sectional plane VI -VI of Figure 3, wherein the associated drawer element is completely pulled out of the associated receiving compartment and the stop tongues each still in their be in the release position held by manual loading,

Figure 7 is a vertical section of the storage container according to sectional plane VII-VII of Figure 3, wherein only the bottom of the plurality of storage compartments is shown equipped with a drawer element state and this drawer element is partially, but not yet pulled out to the maximum extracted operating position, and

Figure 8 is an exploded view of the storage container illustrated in the other figures.

In FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 8, a region of the storage container framed in dash-dotted lines is also shown enlarged again in an isolated manner.

The designated in its entirety by reference numeral 1 storage container has a container housing 2 with a vertical axis 3, wherein the axial direction of the vertical axis 3 is hereinafter also referred to as the height direction 3.

The container housing 2 further has a perpendicular to the vertical axis 3 longitudinal axis 4 and a perpendicular to the vertical axis 3 and the longitudinal axis 4 transverse axis 5. The axial direction of the longitudinal axis 4 is hereinafter also referred to as the longitudinal direction 4, the axial direction of the transverse axis 5 as the transverse direction 5 of the container housing 2 denotes. The dimensions in the longitudinal direction 4 determine the depth, the dimensions in the transverse direction 5, the width of the container housing second In the usual position of use of the storage container 1, the vertical axis 3 is vertically aligned and the longitudinal axis 4 and the transverse axis 5 are aligned horizontally.

The container housing 2 preferably has an at least substantially rectangular outline in a plane perpendicular to the vertical axis 3. Overall, the container housing 2 preferably has a cuboidal basic structure.

The container housing 2 has a facing in the axial direction of the longitudinal axis 4 front 6 and a rear side oppositely oriented in this regard 7. Further, the container housing 2 has two opposite in the axial direction of the transverse axis 5 oriented lateral outer sides 8, 9th

The container housing 2 limits at least one receiving compartment 10 and preferably a plurality of receiving compartments 10, which are arranged one above the other in the height direction 3. It is the embodiment by three receiving compartments 10, wherein the number of shelves, however, in principle is arbitrary. The storage container 1 may also be equipped with only a single receptacle 10.

Each receptacle 10 is accessible from the outside by its own, arranged on the front side 6 compartment opening 11 which is recessed in the container housing 2. In each receptacle 10, a drawer element 12 is arranged, which can be pulled out in the context of a pull-out movement 13a from the associated receiving compartment 10 and in the context of an opposite insertion movement 13b in the receptacle 10 in question. These two movements 13a, 13b are indicated by arrows. The direction of movement of the pull-out movement 13a is also referred to below as pull-out direction 13a. The direction of movement of the insertion movement 13b is also referred to below as the insertion direction 13b

In Figures 2 and 4, the top of three drawer elements 12 is shown in a fully inserted basic position. The underlying middle drawer element 12 is shown in Figures 2 and 5 in a partially withdrawn from the associated receiving compartment 10 position, which is to be explained by a still

Ausziehbegrenzungsmittel 14 predetermined, maximum withdrawn operating position of the drawer element 12 acts. The drawer element 12 located at the very bottom is shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 in a position completely withdrawn from the associated receiving compartment 10 and separated from the container housing.

The container housing 2 forms for each receptacle 10, a compartment side wall 16 which limits the associated receiving compartment 10 at the right angles to the vertical axis 3 oriented sides - apart in the region of the compartment opening 11. Preferably, each compartment side wall 16, apart from the access to the drawer element 12 enabling compartment opening 11 extends as a closed wall around the associated receiving compartment 10 around. Accordingly, each compartment side wall 16 has two side lateral sections 16a associated with the lateral outer sides 8, 9 and one rear compartment side wall section 16b opposite the compartment opening 11 at the rear.

The container housing 2 is integrally formed in a non-illustrated embodiment. It has special about a one-piece housing body, which defines all existing storage compartments.

However, the container housing 2 is preferably of modular design, which applies to the exemplary embodiment. It is composed here of a plurality of housing modules 17, which are arranged one above the other in the axial direction of the vertical axis 3 and aufsitzitzen. In the height direction 3, housing modules 17 arranged immediately adjacent to one another are coupled to one another such that relative movement is not possible in any direction in space. In this way, the mutually coupled housing modules 17 can be moved relative to each other either in a perpendicular to the vertical axis 3 horizontal plane, still the housing modules 17 can be lifted in the height direction 3 from each other.

Responsible for the cohesion of the module network between the housing modules 17 adjacent in the height direction 3 effective coupling means 18. These are preferred and formed in the embodiment as a latching connection means 19. When assembling the container housing 2, the housing modules 17 can be placed on each other in the height direction 3 and partially inserted by applying a certain operating force into each other and thereby locked together. Preferably, the Rastverbindungs- devices 18 of permanent nature, so that accidental cancellation of the module network can be ruled out with certainty. In principle, however, it would be possible to design the coupling devices 18 in a decoupled type.

In the height direction 3 of the modular container housing 2 directly superimposed housing modules 17 delimit each one of the receiving compartments 10. Such Housing modules 17, which define both a receptacle 10 located above them and below them, are referred to as housing intermediate modules 17a. The embodiment is equipped with a plurality of housing intermediate modules 17a.

In the area of its underside 23 pointing downwards in relation to the axial direction of the vertical axis 3, the modular container housing 2 has a housing module 17 designated as the lower housing closure module 17b. In the area of the opposite top 24 in this respect, the container housing 2 has a housing module 17 designated as the upper housing termination module 17c.

Each housing closure module 17b, 17c delimits a receptacle 10 together with the housing intermediate module 17a adjacent in the height direction 3. If the container housing 2 only defines a single receptacle 10, the housing intermediate modules 17a and the two housing termination modules 17b, 17c are omitted are attached directly to each other, so they immediately together limit the only receptacle 10.

Each module module 17 has a transversely and in particular perpendicular to the vertical axis 3 extending module horizontal wall 25. This module horizontal wall 25 forms each case intermediate module 17a respectively the bottom of the receiving compartment 10 arranged above it and at the same time the ceiling of the receiving compartment 10 arranged below In the lower housing closure module 17b, the module horizontal wall 25 forms a lower end wall 33 of the adjacent receiving compartment 10 and in the upper housing closure module 17c, the module horizontal wall 25 forms an upper end wall 34 of the adjacent receiving compartment 10. The module horizontal wall 25 has expediently an at least substantially rectangular gene outline, approximately corresponding to the floor plan of the container housing. 2

On the edge side, at least one and preferably each housing intermediate module 17a, two module side walls are integrally formed on the module horizontal wall 25, which for better distinction are referred to below as upper module side wall 27 and lower module side wall 28. The upper module side wall 27 projects from the outer edge of the module horizontal wall 25 in the height direction 3 upwards, while the lower module side wall 28, starting from this outer edge

29 in the height direction 3 protrudes downward.

From the outer edge of the lower end wall 33 of the lower housing closure module 17b protrudes an upper module side wall 35 in the height direction 3 upwards. Similarly, protrudes from the outer edge of the upper end wall 34, a lower module side wall 36 down, the circumferential course of which corresponds to that of the upper module side wall 35 of the lower end wall 33. If a housing intermediate module 17a is present, its intermediate module side wall 32 likewise has the same circumferential course as the upper module side wall 35 and the lower module side wall 36.

In the assembled state of the modular container housing 2, the upper module side wall 35 of the lower housing closure module 17b is supported with its upwardly facing end face 37 in the axial direction of the vertical axis 3 on the downwardly facing end face 37 of the lower module side wall 28 or 34 of above arranged upper housing termination module 17c or housing intermediate module 17a. In a similar way, the lower module side wall is supported

36 of the upper housing closure module 17c with its downwardly facing end face 37 at the upwardly facing End face 37 of the upper module side wall 27 or 35 of the immediately below arranged lower housing end module 17b or housing intermediate module 17a from.

The receiving compartment 10 delimited by the lower housing closure module 17b is delimited laterally by a compartment side wall 16, which is composed of the upper module side wall 35 of the lower housing termination module 17b and the lower module side wall 36 or 28 of the housing module 17 lying above it the latter being either directly the upper case termination module 17c or a case intermediate module 17a.

The receptacle 10 delimited by the upper enclosure termination module 17c is bounded laterally by a compartment sidewall 16 composed of the lower module sidewall 36 of the upper enclosure termination module 17c and the upper module sidewall 35 or 27 of the underlying housing module 17 the latter being either directly the lower case termination module 17b or a case intermediate module 17a.

If the receptacle 1 is equipped with at least one housing intermediate module 17a, its intermediate module - sidewall 32 forms at the same time a part of two compartment side walls 16, namely both the compartment side wall 16 of the receiving compartment 10 arranged above the housing intermediate module 17a and the compartment module. Side wall 16 of the arranged immediately below the housing intermediate module 17a receiving compartment 10. In other words, the housing intermediate module 17a carries with its upper module side wall 27 and with its lower module side wall 28 at the same time to form the compartment side walls 16 both above and below the housing intermediate module 17a located receiving compartments 10 at.

In order that the compartment side wall 16, despite the multi-part construction in the height direction 3, completely close the associated receiving compartment 10, the housing module 17a in the height direction 3 above and below each adjacent housing modules 17 are preferably over the entire surface oriented in the axial direction of the vertical axis 3 End face 37 of the respectively associated module side wall 27, 28 on.

In principle, the upper and lower module side walls 27, 35; 28, 36 have the same wall height, measured in the height direction 3 of the container housing 2. Preferably, however, is also a realized in all embodiments design, in which the upper and lower module side walls 27, 35; 28, 36 have mutually different wall heights, so that they protrude differently in the height direction 3 of the container housing 2 from the associated module horizontal wall 25. Preferably, the upper module sidewall 27, 35 is higher than the lower module sidewall 28, 36 projecting downwardly.

The pairwise coupling between the superimposed housing modules 17 takes place between the lower module side wall 36, 28 of the respective upper housing module 17 and the upper module side wall 35, 27 of each arranged underneath housing module 17. The coupling takes place by means of the already mentioned, preferably as locking means 19 formed coupling means 18 instead

In the illustrated storage container 1 are particularly advantageous designed latching connection 19th present, the pairwise coupling of adjacent in the height direction 3 housing modules 17 on each formed on a respective housing module 17 latching hooks and the respective other housing module, engage behind the catch hooked locking edges. Due to the latching connection means 19, the stacked housing modules 17 are clamped together vertically.

The upper housing closure module 17c is expediently delimited on its upper side by a ceiling wall 49, on whose upwardly pointing outer side a bow-shaped carrying handle 52 is arranged, which can be grasped with one hand in order to transport the storage container 1. The carrying handle 52 is expediently mounted pivotably on the ceiling wall 49, wherein the pivot axis preferably extends in the width direction of the container housing 2.

Preferably, the carrying handle 52 can be folded into a non-use position on the ceiling wall 49, in which it expediently comes to rest sunk in a surface depression 54 of the ceiling wall 49. For its use, the carrying handle 52 can swing up into an upright position of use.

In the embodiment, the upper end wall 34 and the top wall 49 are one and the same component of the upper case termination module 17c. In an embodiment not shown, the ceiling wall 49 is arranged in addition to the upper end wall 34 and placed in the height direction 3 above this, where it acts as a closure lid of a designed as a container module upper housing end module 17c. Each drawer element 12 has a bottom wall 55 which is preferably plate-shaped. On the edge side around the bottom wall 55, there extends an outer wall 56 projecting upwards in the axial direction of the vertical axis 3, which together with the bottom wall 55 delimits a drawer interior 57 serving to store objects. If the drawer element 12 is at least partially pulled out of the assigned receiving compartment 10 on the front side 6 of the container housing 2, the drawer interior 57, which is open at the top, is accessible for inserting or removing objects.

The drawer interior 57 can be subdivided into individual interior sections by means of partition walls not further illustrated. Also, the drawer element 12 may have a removable or pivotally mounted lid.

On the outside of the drawer interior 57 facing away from a fully inserted state (Figure 4) in the region of the compartment opening 11 front outer wall portion 58 of the outer wall 56 of the drawer element 12 is conveniently a handle 59 is arranged, on which the drawer element 12 can detect to it the tray 10 to pull out or insert into the receptacle 10.

The drawer elements 12 are expediently made of a plastic material. The same applies to the container housing. 2

Below are the already mentioned

Pull-out limiting means 14 explained in more detail. They serve to block the drawer element 12 when pulling out of the receiving compartment 10 in a maximum extended operating position, so that the drawer element 12 is not accidentally can be completely pulled out of the container housing 2. In this maximum withdrawn operating position, which is illustrated in Figure 5, the drawer element 12 is located with the largest part of its measured in the axial direction of the longitudinal axis 4 length outside the associated receiving compartment 10 and only the rear compartment side wall portion 16b facing rear end portion 62 of the drawer element 12 is still within the receiving compartment 10th

A special feature of the pull-out limiting means 14 is that they are temporarily deliberately actively deactivated so as to allow complete removal of the drawer element 12 from the associated receiving compartment, if necessary. Such a fully extended state of the drawer element 12 is illustrated in FIG. In this state, the drawer element 12 can be handled independently of the container body 2.

The outer wall 56 projecting from the bottom wall 55 in the height direction 3 has two lateral outer wall sections 63, 64 spaced apart in the transverse direction 5 of the container housing 2. Each of these lateral outer wall sections 63, 64 expediently directly adjoins one of the two lateral edge regions of the front outer wall section On the rear side, the drawer interior 27 is bounded by a rear outer wall portion of the outer wall 56, which expediently extends parallel to the front outer wall portion 58 and preferably the two rear end portions of the two lateral outer wall sections 63, 64 interconnects. Preferably, the outer wall 56 is designed frame-shaped viewed in the axial direction of the vertical axis 3, wherein it extends along the outer edge of the bottom wall 55.

The pull-out limiting means 14 comprise two stop tongues 66 arranged pivotably on the drawer element 12, one of the two stop tongues 66 being associated with each of the two lateral outer wall sections 63, 64. Each stop tongue 66 is pivotable with respect to the associated lateral outer wall portion 63, 64 in a right-angled to the vertical axis 3 pivot plane, wherein the case running pivoting movement is indicated in the drawing at 67 by a double arrow.

The pivoting mobility of the stop tongues 66 results from the fact that each stop tongue 66 is arranged on the associated lateral outer wall section 63, 64 in an elastically deformable manner. The pivoting range, about which the stop tongue 66 is pivotable, is indicated in the drawing by the reference numeral 68. Each stop tongue 66 is preferably also resiliently flexible in itself.

In the unattenuated state takes each stop tongue 66 with respect to the associated lateral outer wall portion 63, 64 a of Figures 4, 5 and 8 apparent unschwenkte basic position. By manual application of an actuating force FB, each stop tongue 66 can be pivoted under resilient deformation into a release position shown in FIG. The release position remains as long as the actuating force FB is applied. If the actuation force FB is removed, the stop tongue 66 pivots back into the non-pivoted basic position due to the built-up during the pivoting internal elastic stresses. Each stop tongue 66 has a longitudinal extension of a supporting arm 69, with which it is connected at one end in a transition region 72 with the associated lateral outer wall portion 63, 64. The transition region 72 advantageously coincides with the pivoting region 68. At a spaced-apart in the longitudinal direction of the support arm 69 to the transition region 72, the support arm 69 carries egg nen in the transverse direction 5 from the drawer interior 57 outward Shen projecting abutment projection 73. The stopper projection 73 projects laterally outwardly beyond the support arm 69 and is preferably on the the transition region 72 opposite free end portion 74 of the support arm 69 is arranged. The stop projection 73 is in particular integral with the

Support arm 69 is formed.

The entire stop tongue 66 is expediently a one-piece plastic body, which in turn is integrally connected in the transition region 72 with the associated lateral outer wall section 63, 64.

Each stop tongue 66 is expediently arranged within the contemplated in the transverse direction 5 outline of each zugeord Neten lateral outer wall portion 63, 64 at the respective lateral outer wall portion 63, 64. It is particularly advantageous if each lateral Außenwandab section 63, 64 has a wall opening 75, inner half of which the associated stop tongue 66 is arranged.

Each stop tongue 66 is preferably realized so that its support arm 69, which preferably has a plate-shaped or tab-like shape, in the wall plane of the associated lateral outer wall portion 63, 64 extends when the stop tongue 66 assumes the undistorted home position. This is clearly evident from FIGS. 4 and 5. Preferred For example, the support arm 69 has the same wall thickness as the associated side outer wall portion 63, 64, which simplifies manufacture in an injection molding process.

The stop tongue 66 is connected at the edge of the wall opening 75 only in the transition region 72 with the lateral outer wall portion 63, 64. Otherwise, a U-shaped gap 76 extends around the stop tongue 66 within the wall opening 75 and is bounded on the outside by the region of the associated lateral outer wall section 63, 64 surrounding the wall opening 75.

In the unschwenktten basic position of the stop projection 73 with respect to the drawer interior 57 opposite wall outer surface 77 of the associated lateral outer wall portion 63, 64 before.

Each stop tongue 66 has, in particular, such an orientation that it extends from the transition region 72 in the insertion direction 13b, that is to say in the exemplary embodiment, toward the rear end section 65 of the drawer element 12. Your free end portion 74 is therefore oriented on the drawer element 12 to the rear.

The stop tongue 66 is in particular designed such that it tapers conically starting from the transition region 72 in the direction of its free end region 74. It thereby has a smaller width in the area of the stop projection 73 in the height direction 3 than at the transition area 72.

The drawer element 12 slides when pulling out and pushing with the downwardly facing bottom outer surface 78 of the bottom wall 55 on the shelf 79 along. The shelf 79 is in the embodiment of each of a module Horizontal wall 25 of a housing module 17 is formed. At the top of the drawer element 12 has only a small distance to the shelf above 79, so that it is on the one hand easily displaced, on the other hand, but can not tilt. For lateral stabilization, the drawer element 12 can be supported with its lateral outer wall sections 63, 64 on the inside of the lateral compartment side wall sections 16a, 16b. However, there is enough game to avoid deadlocks. Guide rails are not required. The pull-out limiting means 14 are designed such that the stop tongue 66 does not come into contact either with the pull-out movement 13a or during the insertion movement 13b with the wall inner surface of the associated lateral compartment side wall section 16a facing the receiving compartment 10. In this way, the operation of the drawer element 12 is not hindered by the stop tabs 66.

The pull-out limiting means 14 also include a number of counter-stop edges 82 corresponding to the number of stop tongues 66, which are arranged stationarily on the container housing 2. Each abutment tongue 66 is functionally assigned to such an abutment edge 82 in such a way that the counter abutment edge 82 is closer to the front side 6 with the drawer element 12 located in the receptacle 10 in the longitudinal direction 4 than the abutment projection 73 of the respective abutment tongue 66. More precisely in each of the two lateral edge regions of the compartment opening 11 oriented in the transverse direction 5, one of the counter stop edges 82 is arranged such that it is arranged in the withdrawal path of the stop projection 73 located on the same side of the drawer element 12. When pulling out the drawer element 12 from the associated receiving compartment 10, the drawer element 12 - starting with the fully inserted state - initially a piece of unhindered according to arrow 13 a pull out of the container housing 2. In this way, the drawer element 12 can be moved continuously into any operating positions in which the upwardly facing opening of their drawer interior 57 is more or less widely located outside of the container housing 2. The further the drawer element 12 is pulled out, the larger the accessible length of the drawer interior 57 measured in the longitudinal direction 4 is.

Due to the pull-out limiting means 14, a maximum extracted operating position of the drawer element 12 is mechanically predetermined. This maximum extended operating position results from the fact that the stop projections 73 of the two stop tongues 66 run from the interior of the receiving compartment 10 forth in each case one of the fixed against the container housing 2 counter-stop edges 82. This condition is illustrated in FIG.

In this way, the drawer element 12 is mechanically blocked and an accidental complete withdrawal from the container housing 2 is excluded.

The counter-abutment edges 82 can be realized by means of any suitably positioned structures, which are either components which are separate relative to the container housing 2, or which, as is preferred, are formed integrally with the container housing 2. In the exemplary embodiment, the two counterstop edges 82 of the compartment opening 11 of the receiving compartment 10 in the transverse direction. 5 defined laterally limiting boundary wall portions 81.

Each counter-abutment edge 82 has a counter stop surface 84 which points in the longitudinal direction 4 into the interior of the receiving compartment 10 and which faces a stop surface 83 which is formed on the rear side of the assigned stop projection 73 oriented in the direction of the withdrawal movement 13a. To specify the maximum extracted operating position, the abutment surfaces 83 strike on one of the counter stop surfaces 84 and thereby stop the further movement of the drawer element 12.

An advantageous feature of the storage container 1 is that the user has the option of completely extracting the at least one drawer element 12, despite the presence of the pull-out limiting means 14 as needed from the associated receiving compartment 10 and then handle independently of the container housing 2. For example, a completely withdrawn drawer element 12 can be placed in the immediate working area of a craftsman to quickly have available tools contained therein.

The possibility of optional complete withdrawal from the receptacle 10 results from the resilient

Pivoting mobility 67 of the stop tongues 66. The elastic, reversible bendability of the stop tongues 66 makes it possible to pivot each stop tongue 66 into a release position illustrated in FIG. 6 by manual application of the previously mentioned actuating force FB from the non-pivoted basic position in the direction of the drawer interior, in which the stopper projection 73 can move past the associated counter-stop edge 82 with continued withdrawal movement 13a unhindered. By the Pivoting into the release position is achieved that the counter-stop edges 82 are no longer in the withdrawal of the stop projections 73.

After the stopper protrusions 73 have passed the counter stop edges 82 when the drawer element 12 is fully withdrawn, the manual actuation force FB can be removed so that the stop tongues 66 automatically swing back into the non-pivoted basic position due to their spring elasticity.

Preferably, the stop tabs 66 and the counter stop edges 82 are arranged in such a coordinated manner that the stop tabs 66 come to lie in the maximum extended operating position of the drawer element 12 with a length outside the receiving compartment 10, ie in the front 6 outside the container housing. 2 are located. You can then be charged comfortably with one finger of one hand for pivoting in the Freiga order. This advantageous assignment is present in the embodiment and can be seen from FIG.

It is expedient if the user of the storage container 1 is clearly signaled where he has best initiate the actuation force FB for pivoting the stop tabs 66. For this reason, the stop tongues 66 are expediently provided on the drawer interior 57 abgewand th outside of the support arms 69, each with a raised actuating structure 85. By way of example, this actuator structure 85 is designed in the manner of a corrugation and is composed of a plurality of mutually parallel rib-like projections. The actuating structure 85 is located in the intermediate region between the transition region 72 and the stop projection 73.

To reinsert a fully withdrawn drawer element 12 into the receptacle 10, the abutment tongues 66 are again temporarily moved to the release position. Have the stop projections 73 then in the

Insertion movement 13b the counter stop edges 82 happens and the actuation force FB is taken away, they spring back into the undistorted home position, so that they can come back from then on their pull-out limiting function.

The storage container 1 of the embodiment are formed so that the stop tabs 66 are pivoted when inserting a fully drawn drawer element 12 only by the contact with the container housing 2 temporarily in the release position. The actuating force is not introduced to the support arm 69, but directly to the stop projection 73. To make this possible, each stop projection 73 at its pointing in the direction of insertion movement 13b front an inclined sliding surface 86, which has such a skew that they are in the pull-out direction of the drawer element 12 is increasingly removed from the drawer interior 57.

When inserting the completely removed drawer element 12 into the receiving compartment 10, the stop projections 73 with their sliding surfaces 86 come into contact with a counter abutment body 87 defining the associated counter abutment surface 84, which is preferably the boundary wall section 81 of the container housing 2 already discussed above , If the sliding surfaces 86 come into contact with the counter stop bodies 87 when the drawer element 12 is pushed in, they slide against the counter stop bodies 87 and are thereby pushed in the direction of the drawer interior 57 until finally the entire stop projection 73 has left the counter stop edge 82 behind. Then missing the hitherto by the counter-stop body 87 caused actuation force and the stop tongue 66 springs back into the normal position.

The pull-out limiting means 14 are preferably designed such that their blocking function is not affected by a particularly large, acting on the drawer element 12

Pulling force can be lifted. This is achieved in that the stop projections 73 at their in the

Pull-out direction oriented back barb-shaped and have a relative to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 4 plane stop surface 83 have. The counter-abutment surfaces 84 of the counter-abutment edges 82 are likewise aligned obliquely with the same inclination direction, so that the abutment projections 73 catch in the maximally pulled-out operating position with the counter-abutment edges 82. The Verhakungseingriff here is the stronger, the more the drawer element 12 is pulled. In this way, it can be prevented that the drawer element 12 inadvertently pulled out accidentally inadvertently.

Claims

claims

1. Storage container, comprising a container housing (2), which has at least one receiving compartment (10) open at one front side (6) of the container housing (2) and one in a longitudinal direction (4) of the container housing (2). the drawer element (12) for forming a drawer interior (57) via a bottom wall (55) and an outer wall (56) projecting from the bottom wall (55) with two in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (4) transverse direction (5) of the container housing (2) with spaced opposite lateral outer wall portions (63, 64), and with

Ausziehbegrenzungsmitteln (14) for limiting the withdrawal of the drawer element (12) from the receiving compartment (10), characterized in that the

Pull-out limiting means (14) at the two lateral outer wall sections (63, 64) of the drawer element (12) each one by elastic deformation in the transverse direction (5) of the container housing (2) pivotable stop tongue (66) each having at least one in the transverse direction (5) from the drawer interior (57) outwardly projecting stop projection (73), and in that on the container housing (2) in the two lateral edge regions of the compartment opening (11) each in the withdrawal of one of the stop projections (73) arranged counter stop edge (82) is to which the associated stop projection (73) when pulling out the drawer element (12) to specify the maxi- sometimes pulled out operating position can accumulate, wherein the stop tongues (66) by manual application reversible inward towards the drawer interior (57) are pivotable into a release position to allow the completeness ended pulling the drawer element (12) from the receiving compartment (10) ,

2. Storage container according to claim 1, characterized in that the stop tongues (66) are placed on the lateral outer wall sections (63, 64) in such a way that they are in the maximum extended operating position of the drawer element (12) with a longitudinal section outside the receiving compartment (10). to come to rest.

3. Storage container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the counter-stop edges (82) to the compartment opening (11) of the receiving compartment (10) laterally delimiting boundary wall portions (81) of the container housing (2) are formed.

4. Storage container according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the stop projections (73) are barb-shaped at their in the pull-out direction of the drawer element (12) oriented rear side and thereby have an inclined stop surface (83) on the back, wherein the counter stop edges (82 ) have accordingly obliquely oriented counter stop surfaces (84), such that the stop projections (73) in the maximum herausgezoge nen operating position of the drawer element (12) with the Ge genanschlagkanten (82) are hooked.

5. Storage container according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the stop projections (73) at their in the insertion direction of the drawer element (12) facing front side have an inclined sliding surface (86), which in the pull-out of the drawer element (12) increasingly from the drawer interior (57) and when inserting the independently pulled drawer element (12) in the receiving compartment (10) at a fixed relative to the container housing (2) arranged abutment body (87) can slide, whereby the associated stop tongue (66) without direct manual application reversible inward towards the drawer interior (57) is pivotable into a release position until the stop projection (73) the counter stop edge ( 82) has happened.

6. Storage container according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the stop tongues (66) within the in the transverse direction (5) considered outline of the respective associated lateral outer wall portion (63, 64) of the drawer element (12) are arranged.

7. Storage container according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the stop tongues (66) in each case in a wall opening (75) of the associated lateral outer wall portion (63, 64) of the drawer element (12) are arranged.

8. Storage container according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that each stop tongue (66) has a stop projection (73) carrying the support arm (69), in one to the stop projection (73) spaced transition region (72) in one piece and elastic bendable with the associated lateral outer wall portion (63, 64) of the drawer element (12) is connected, wherein the stopper projection (73) expediently at one of the transition region (72) opposite the free end region (74)

Support arm (69) is arranged.

9. on ewahrungsbehalter according to claim 8, characterized in that on the side facing away from the drawer interior (57) outside of the support arm (69) between the stop projection (73) and the transition region (72) to the lateral outer wall portion (63, 64) for manual Provided provided loading raised actuating structure (85), which is suitably designed in the manner of a corrugation.

10. Storage container according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that extending the stop tongue (66), starting from the transition region (72) in the insertion direction of the drawer element (12).

A storage box according to any one of claims 8 to 10 when appended to claim 7, characterized in that the support arm (69) extends within the wall aperture (75) in a plane with the associated lateral outer wall portion (63, 64), the rebate projection (73) projects beyond the wall outer surface (77) of the lateral outer wall section (63, 64) facing away from the drawer interior (57).

12. Storage container according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that on the drawer interior (57) facing away from outside of the compartment opening (11) associated front outer wall section (58) of the drawer element (12) for pulling out the drawer element (12) usable Handle (59) is arranged.

13. Storage container according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the container housing (2) a plurality of in the height direction (3) of the container housing (2) one above the other arranged receiving compartments (10) each having a therein arranged with draw-out means (14) equipped drawer element (12).

14, storage container according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the container housing (2) has a modular structure and from a plurality in the height direction (3) of the container housing (2) arranged one above the other and in pairs in each case inseparable manner coupled housing modules ( 17) is composed, wherein each two directly superimposed housing modules (17) together define a drawer element (12) receiving receptacle (10).

15. Storage container according to claim 14, characterized in that at least one or each receiving compartment (10) is bounded laterally by a container housing (2) formed Fach- side wall (16) consisting of an upwardly projecting upper module side wall (27 , 35) of a lower one

Housing module (17) and one in an inseparable manner with this upper module side wall (27, 35) latched, downwardly projecting lower module side wall (28, 36) in the height direction (3) on this lower housing module (17) arranged upper Housing module (17) composed.

16. Storage container according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the container housing (2) arranged several each of two directly above one another

Housing modules (17) has limited receiving compartments (10) for each one pull-out and retractable drawer element (12), wherein at least one or each between two receiving compartments (10) arranged housing module (17) as a housing intermediate module (17a) is formed, which transverse to the height direction (3) between the two receiving compartments (10) extending module horizontal wall (25) and a on the edge side integrally on the module horizontal wall (25) arranged upwardly projecting upper module side wall (27) and a peripherally arranged on the module horizontal wall (25), the module horizontal wall (25) downwardly superior lower module Side wall (28), such that the housing intermediate module (17a) at the same time to form both one of the housing intermediate module (17a) arranged receiving compartment (10) laterally bounding the compartment side wall (16) and one arranged underneath Receiving compartment (10) laterally limiting compartment side wall (16) contributes.