EP3484665B1 - Stackable system container - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a stackable system container according to the preamble of claim 1. Such a container is made US 6,082,539A known.

From the DE 10 2013 110 496 discloses a stackable system container with a base part that has a storage space that is open at the top and a cover part that is fastened to the base part and delimits the storage space at the top. In addition, the system container also has two coupling elements protruding upwards over a top side of the system container, which are an integral part of the base part and each comprise at least one latch for latching a coupling device of a similar container arranged above it. The coupling elements are also arranged at opposite ends of the upper side of the system container and enable several such system containers to be centered and positioned one on top of the other. After several system containers have been aligned, they can be dimensionally stable but detachably connected using the coupling elements. This positive or non-positive connection enables several system containers connected to one another to be carried comfortably in one hand. The disadvantage here, however, is that a specific fastening system is defined by the coupling elements and the system container can therefore be used less modularly when several different containers are stacked.

The US 6,082,539A shows a stackable system container with a base part and a lid part attached thereto and with two coupling elements protruding upwards over a top side of the system container, which each have a recess for latching a coupling device of a similar system container arranged above, the coupling elements being movable in this way on the top side of the system container are fastened so that they do not protrude over the top of the system container when in a pivoted-in position.

After that, the EP 1 238 602 A2 a quick-locking, stackable suitcase, with two bow-shaped first fastening elements being arranged in the region of two end faces of the lower part of the case, which interact with second fastening elements arranged on opposite end faces of the lid part in such a way that a stable, detachable connection between the lower part of the first suitcase and the lid part of the second suitcase immediately adjacent to the first suitcase can be produced.

In the two publications mentioned, the connection between two suitcases stacked on top of one another is not stable. Due to the simple design of the coupling elements, coupled suitcases can become detached from one another.

The object of the invention is therefore to further develop a stackable system container in such a way that a modular stacking of different system containers is made possible in as dimensionally stable and stable a manner as possible.

This problem is solved by a stackable system container with the features of claim 1. Advantageous refinements of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

The stackable system container according to the invention is characterized in that the coupling elements are movably, in particular pivotably, attached to the top of the system container such that they do not protrude beyond the top of the system container in a pivoted-in position. As a result, the coupling elements can be pivoted between a pivoted out and a pivoted in position, depending on the application. In the protruding, pivoted-out position, the coupling elements can interact in a holding manner with a system container of the same type arranged above, whereas in the pivoted-in position, the coupling elements do not impede the arrangement of containers of different designs on the system container. In addition, the top of the system container can also be used as a storage or work surface without any problems.

System containers that are structurally identical or of the same type are understood to be containers that are designed to hold the at least two coupling elements of the system container to work together, with respect to the dimensions or the presence of other elements and different embodiments are included.

In a preferred embodiment, the coupling elements can form a flat or almost flat surface with the upper side of the system container in the swiveled-in position. This achieves a stepless upper side of the system container, which is particularly suitable as a storage or work surface.

In a particularly stable embodiment, the coupling elements can preferably be pivotable relative to one another from the protruding position into the pivoted-in position in the direction of a center of the upper side of the system container. If a system container of the same construction is arranged between the coupling flanges in the protruding, swiveled-out position, the coupling elements are blocked by the system container of the same construction, which means that they can no longer be unintentionally moved into the swiveled-in position. However, it is also possible to arrange the coupling elements in such a way that they fold laterally outwards or downwards from the protruding position into the pivoted-in position.

In order to further increase the stability of the coupling elements, the coupling elements can bear against a stop of the system container in the protruding position. This results in a defined position of the coupling elements in the protruding position and lateral forces are particularly well supported.

A particularly good introduction of force from the coupling elements into the system container can be achieved in that the coupling elements engage behind the stop in the vertical direction in the protruding position. This means that, in the vertical direction, a part of a coupling element arranged above the stop engages under the stop in the protruding position. As a result, forces acting vertically upwards, such as those that occur in particular when several system containers are transported together, can be supported particularly well. This means that even heavier system containers can be transported in a group using the handle on an upper system container.

For a particularly good suitability of the upper side as a storage and work surface, receiving depressions can be provided on the upper side of the system container, into which the coupling elements can be pivoted. This results in a largely closed, step-free surface on the top, which is also easy to clean.

For accurate positioning of the coupling elements in the protruding position and/or the pivoted-in position, at least one latching device for latching the coupling element in the upwardly protruding pivoted-out position and/or in the pivoted-in position can be provided for each coupling element. Each latching device can preferably be overcome by exerting a sufficient torque on the respective coupling element, which can be achieved, for example, by a spring-loaded latching ball in corresponding latching grooves.

For the form-fitting, holding connection of two such system containers, coupling devices can be arranged on the bottom part of at least the upper system container, which are designed to interact with the coupling elements of the identical system container arranged underneath. A holding element of a coupling device can be arranged on the system container in the vertical direction below a coupling element. If two upwardly protruding coupling elements are provided on opposite ends of the upper side of the system container, a latching element of a coupling device can be provided in the vertical direction below each of the coupling elements. Each latching element is designed to cooperate in a holding manner with coupling elements of a system container arranged underneath that are structurally identical to the coupling elements of this system container, in particular to engage in a recess of that coupling element with hook-shaped elements.

In addition, the cover part is preferably attached pivotably to the base part. This achieves easy access to the storage space in the base part and also a particularly stable connection between the cover part and the base part.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines stapelbaren Systembehälter mit nach oben hervorstehenden Koppelungselementen;

Fig. 2

eine Seitenansicht des stapelbaren Systembehälters von Figur 1;

Fig. 3

eine Vorderansicht des stapelbaren Systembehälters von Figur 1;

Fig. 4

eine Draufsicht auf den stapelbaren Systembehälter von Figur 1;

Fig. 5

eine Vorderansicht auf einen stapelbaren Systembehälter mit den Koppelungselementen in einer eingeschwenkten Position;

Fig. 6

eine perspektivische Detailansicht auf ein Koppelungselement in der hervorstehenden Position;

Fig. 7

eine weitere perspektivische Detailansicht auf das Koppelungselement von Figur 6;

Fig. 8

eine perspektivische Detailansicht auf ein Koppelungselement in der eingeschwenkten Position.

Fig. 9

eine Schnittansicht durch einen Systembehälter im Bereich eines Koppelungselements in der eingeschwenkten Position und

Fig. 10

eine Schnittansicht durch einen Systembehälter im Bereich eines Koppelungselements in der hervorstehenden Position.

Further special features and advantages of the invention result from the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. Show it:

1

a perspective view of a stackable system container with upwardly protruding coupling elements;

2

a side view of the stackable system container of FIG figure 1 ;

3

FIG. 12 is a front view of the stackable system container of FIG figure 1 ;

4

a top view of the stackable system container of FIG figure 1 ;

figure 5

a front view of a stackable system container with the coupling elements in a pivoted position;

6

a perspective detailed view of a coupling element in the protruding position;

Figure 7

another perspective detailed view of the coupling element of figure 6 ;

8

a perspective detailed view of a coupling element in the pivoted position.

9

a sectional view through a system container in the region of a coupling element in the pivoted-in position and

10

a sectional view through a system container in the area of a coupling element in the protruding position.

In figure 1 a perspective view of a stackable system container 1 is shown. The system container 1 comprises a base part 2 and a cover part 3 which is pivotably attached to the base part 2. The base part 2 has a storage space which is not shown and is open at the top and is delimited at the top by the cover part 3. The cover part 3 is pivotally connected to the base part via a swivel joint arranged on the rear edge of the cover part. In order to releasably attach the cover part 3 to the base part 2 and therewith To securely close the enclosed storage space, two locking devices 4a, 4b are provided on the front of the system container 1, which are hingedly attached to the cover part 3 and interact with the base part 2 in a latching manner in the closed position of the system container 1 shown.

The system container 1 can be used, for example, to transport and store tools and work materials for craftsmen. For this purpose, the base part 2 preferably has a base section and four side walls, which delimit a storage space that is only open at the top. However, it is also possible the bottom part as the container in the EP 2 703 310 revealed to perform. In this regard, reference is made to the EP 2 703 310 , the content of which is hereby incorporated into this application.

For easy transport of the system container 1, a retaining clip 5 is fastened to the cover part 3 so that it can pivot between an upwardly protruding position and a pivoted-in position. In the swiveled-in position, the retaining clip 5 is arranged sunk in a recessed grip 6 of the cover part 3 , so that the retaining clip 5 forms a stepless, flat upper side 7 of the system container 1 with the cover part 3 . In addition, a handle 8 is pivotally attached to a front side of the base part 2, with which the system container 1 can be gripped and transported.

Also provided on the cover part 3 are two coupling elements 9a, 9b in the form of latching webs which protrude upwards over the upper side 7 of the system container 1 and are arranged at opposite ends of the upper side 7 . The coupling elements 9a, 9b each have two recesses 10a, 10b, which are designed for snapping in coupling devices of a system container, not shown, arranged above them and of the same type. The coupling devices of the system container arranged above it (not shown) are constructed in the same way as the coupling devices 11a, 11b on the system container 1, of which the coupling device 11b in figure 1 is shown. The coupling device 11b is arranged on the side of the base part 2 and below the coupling element 9b, as is also the in figure 1 not shown coupling device 11a arranged on the opposite side of the bottom part 2 below the coupling element 9a.

The recesses 9a, 9b are designed as pockets running horizontally through the illustrated coupling elements 9a, 9b and are designed to be gripped behind in the vertical direction by the corresponding coupling device of the system container, not illustrated, arranged above them. The other features of the coupling devices and the coupling elements is on the EP 2 703 310 Reference is made to the content of which is hereby incorporated into this application.

In figure 2 12 is a side view of the stackable system container of FIG figure 1 shown. As can be seen from the side view, the base part 2 is pivotably connected to the cover part 3 via the schematically indicated swivel joint 12 and is releasably fixed to one another via the locking device 4b shown here.

In the protruding position shown, the coupling element 9b forms a continuous, flat side surface 13b with the cover part 3, which saves space and gives a visually appealing impression. Likewise, the coupling element 9a, not shown here, forms a flat side surface 13a with the cover part 3 on the opposite side.

The coupling device 11b comprises a spring-loaded holding part 14 which is pivotably attached to a side wall of the base part 2 . Arranged on the holding part 14 are two latching elements 15a, 15b which project downward and which each have a hook-shaped element 16a, 16b at their lower end. The hook-shaped elements 16a, 16b are arranged in the vertical direction exactly below the recesses 10a and 10b, respectively, so that when two such system containers are stacked one on top of the other, the hook-shaped elements 16a, 16b can engage in the recesses 10a, 10b of the underlying coupling element in a holding manner.

By pressure on the holding part 14, as well as the opposite, non-numbered, mirror-image holding part, this can be moved about a horizontal axis from the spring-actuated locked position shown into an open position. As a result, the hook-shaped elements 16a, 16b are moved horizontally and disengaged from the recesses 10a, 10b of the coupling element of a further system container arranged underneath, and the retaining connection between the system containers is thus released. By corresponding inclined sliding surfaces on the locking elements 9a, 9b and / or With the hook-shaped elements 16a, 16b, the hook-shaped elements 16a, 16b and thus the holding part 14 can be moved in the vertical direction simply by pressing two system containers against one another, whereupon the hook-shaped elements 16a, 16b automatically engage in the recesses 10a, 10b and the two system containers arranged one above the other are thus automatically connected.

In figure 3 12 is a front view of the stackable system container of FIG figure 1 shown. As can be seen there, the upper side 7 of the system container 1 is designed as a flat, stepless surface, at the lateral ends of which only the coupling elements 9a, 9b protrude in the position shown. the inside figure 1 The headband 5 shown is sunk into the recessed grip 6 in the top 7 in such a way that the headband 5 forms a flat surface with the top 7 .

In figure 4 12 is a plan view of the stackable system case 1 of FIG figure 1 shown. As can be seen there, receiving recesses 17a, 17b are provided in the top 7 in the cover part 3, in which the coupling elements 9a and 9b are arranged. The receiving troughs 17a, 17b are arranged at opposite ends of the top 7 of the system container 1 and also each open to one of the side surfaces 13a, 13b of the cover part 3. In these receiving troughs 17a, 17b are the coupling elements 9a, 9b on the top 7 of the System container 1 pivotally mounted in such a way that they can be pivoted from the protruding position shown in the direction of a schematically illustrated center 18 of the top 7 of the system container 1 .

In order to lock the coupling elements 9a, 9b in the pivoted-in position and/or the protruding position, a locking device known from the prior art can be provided between the coupling elements 9a, 9b and the receiving troughs 17a, 17b. This can be, for example, a spring-loaded detent ball in one component, which runs in the opposite component in a guideway with detent pockets at one or both ends. As a result of the prestressing via the spring, by exerting a sufficient torque on the respective coupling element, the locking can be overcome and the coupling element can be pivoted between the protruding and the pivoted-in position.

In figure 5 the system container 1 is shown, in which, in contrast to the previous figures, the coupling elements 9a, 9b are in the pivoted-in position. In the swiveled-in position, the coupling elements 9a, 9b are fully integrated in the receiving recesses 17a, 17b and therefore do not protrude beyond the upper side 7 of the system container 1 in this position. The coupling elements are designed in such a way and are pivotably fastened to the cover part 3 so that when they are in the pivoted-in position they form a level, stepless surface with the upper side 7 of the system container 1, creating a largely closed surface for storing further system containers of any type and also a work surface for Machining of workpieces is achieved.

In figure 6 a perspective detailed view of the coupling element 9b is shown in the protruding position. The coupling element 9b is a mirror image of the opposite coupling element 9a and is designed to be pivotable about the pivot axis 19 shown schematically. Between the recesses 10a, 10b, which run horizontally and at right angles to the pivot axis 19, there is a positioning receptacle 20 in the form of a pocket open at the top, which is used to accommodate a fixedly arranged on the base part 2 and in figure 2 shown positioning pin 21 is used. The positioning pin 21 and the positioning receptacle 20 facilitate simple positioning and connection of two identical system containers 1 arranged one above the other.

Again figure 6 can be seen, the receiving trough 17b, like the mirrored receiving trough 17a, is formed in the horizontal outline corresponding to the vertical outline of the coupling element 9b in the protruding position shown. This ensures that the coupling elements 9a, 9b in the swiveled-in position close the receiving troughs 17a, 17b with as little gap as possible in order to prevent work materials or dirt from penetrating when the upper side 7 is used as a work surface.

In figure 7 is a further perspective detailed view of the coupling element 9b of FIG figure 6 shown. As can be seen there, the coupling element 9b, like the opposite coupling element 9a, is arranged in the receiving trough 17b in such a way that it is flush with the side surface 13b of the cover part 3 in the protruding position shown. The pivot axis 19 is oriented parallel to the top 7 and the side surface 13b.

In figure 8 a perspective detailed view of the coupling element 9b is shown in the pivoted-in position, in which the coupling element 9b is flush with the upper side 7 of the system container 1. As can also be seen, in this position the coupling element 9b closes the receiving trough 17b upwards with as little gap as possible. In addition, the coupling element 9b is here also formed flush with the side surface 13b of the cover part 3, wherein contrary to the configuration shown, the coupling element 9b can also close the receiving trough 17b laterally with respect to the side surface 13b largely without a gap.

In figure 9 a cross section through a system container 1 in the region of the coupling element 9b is shown. The coupling element 9b is in the pivoted-in position and closes the receiving trough 17b at the top flush with the top 7 of the system container 1. In addition, the coupling element 9b is also flush with the side surface 13b and in particular does not protrude laterally beyond it. A projection 22 is provided on the coupling element 9b at a distance from the pivot axis 19 and is designed to correspond to a stop 23 arranged in the receiving trough 17b. The projection 22 has a wedge-shaped cross-section and the stop 23 includes a corresponding wedge-shaped groove. However, it is also possible to arrange the stop 23 for the projection 22 on the cover part 3 outside of the receiving recess 17b or to design it differently. The folding in and out of the coupling elements 9a, 9b can also be facilitated by appropriate pressure points or cutouts for fingers.

In figure 10 is the cross section through the system container 1 of figure 9 shown, with the coupling element 9b being in a position which is pivoted by 90° and protrudes vertically upwards over the upper side 7 . As can be seen, the projection 22 rests against the stop 23 and also engages behind it. Deviating from the wedge-shaped groove shown, the stop 23 can also have a rectangular cross-section, for example, which a corresponding projection 22 engages behind. Because the coupling element 9b arranged above the stop 23 engages behind the stop 23 with the projection 22 in the vertical direction below, vertical tensile forces on the coupling element 9b can be introduced into the cover part 3 in a particularly advantageous manner.

Since the arrangement and design of the coupling elements 9a, 9b with the receiving troughs 17a, 17b is a mirror image, the configuration described with reference to the figures for one side also applies to the opposite coupling element with the corresponding receiving trough. Likewise, the coupling devices 11a, 11b on the base part 2 are mirror-inverted, so that reference is also made to the embodiment described.

Deviating from the embodiment shown, it is also possible for the coupling elements 9a, 9b to be fastened to opposite side walls of the base part 2. The receiving troughs 17a, 17b can also be completely integrated in the side walls or can extend at least partially in the cover part 3.

Reference List

1

Stackable system container

2

bottom part

3

cover part

4a, 4b

locking device

5

mounting bracket

6

recessed grip

7

top of the system tray

8th

handle

9a, 9b

coupling element

10a, 10b

recess

11a, 11b

coupling device

12

swivel joint

13a, 13b

side face

14

holding part

15a, 15b

latching element

16a, 16b

Hooked element

17a, 17b

receiving recess

18

center of the top

19

pivot axis

20

positioning recording

21

positioning pin

22

head Start

23

attack

Claims (12)

1. Stackable system container (1) comprising a base part (2) and a cover part (3) fastened to the base part (2), and having at least two coupling elements (9a; 9b) that protrude upwardly beyond a top side (7) of the system container (1) for engagement of a coupling device (11a; 11b) of an identical system container (1) disposed above, wherein the coupling elements (9a; 9b) are pivotably attached to the top side (7) of the system container (1) in such a manner that, in a pivoted-in position, the coupling elements (9a; 9b) do not protrude beyond the top side (7) of the system container (1), wherein the coupling elements (9a; 9b) are arranged at opposite ends of the top side (7) of the cover part (3), characterized in that the coupling elements (9a; 9b) each have two recesses (10a; 10b) which are designed for engagement of the coupling devices (11a; 11b) of the system container to be arranged above.
2. System container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling elements (9a; 9b), in the pivoted-in position, form a flat surface with the top side (7) of the system container (1).
3. System container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the coupling elements (9a; 9b) can be pivoted from the protruding position into the pivoted-in position in the direction of the center (18) of the top side (7) of the system container (1).
4. System container (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the coupling elements (9a; 9b), in the protruding position, rest against a stop (23) of the system container (1).
5. System container (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the coupling elements (9a; 9b), in the protruding position, engage the stop (23) in the vertical direction from behind.
6. System container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that receiving depressions (17a; 17b) are disposed on the top side (7) of the system container (1), into which receiving depressions (17a; 17b) the coupling elements (9a; 9b) can be pivoted.
7. System container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, for each coupling element (9a; 9b), at least one engagement means for the engagement of the coupling element (9a; 9b) in the upwardly protruding position and/or in the pivoted-in position is provided.
8. System container (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that each engagement means can be overridden by exerting a sufficient torque on the respective coupling element (9a; 9b).
9. System container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that coupling devices (11a; 11b) are disposed on the base part (2), which coupling devices (11a; 11b) are designed to interact with the coupling elements (9a; 9b) of a structurally identical system container (1) disposed below.
10. System container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an engagement element (15a; 15b) of a coupling device (11a; 11b) is arranged in each case below a coupling element (9a; 9b) in the vertical direction.
11. System container (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the engagement elements (15a; 15b) of the coupling devices (11a; 11b) can be moved between a locked position and an open position.
12. System container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover part (3) is pivotably attached to the base part (2).

Images