GB2199562A - Containers - Google Patents

Abstract

A container e.g. for storage of snooker cues has a plurality of separate compartments each comprising front and side walls 3, 6, 7 and being pivotally secured to the container via at least one of said walls 3, 6, 7 at or adjacent the base of the container. Each compartment is capable of pivoting movement from the volume of the container to enable access to the compartment via its upper end, the compartment being closable within the container by a return pivotal movement into the volume of the container preferably by means of a spring. <IMAGE>

Description

Improvements in or relating to Containers This invention relates to containers, and more particularly to containers having a plurality of individual compartments.

Even more particularly, although not exclusively, the invention relates to containers of this kind suitable for use in games halls, or areas, or club rooms or locker rooms in which the plurality of compartments are each intended to hold articles deposited and stored therein by individuals such as club members, separately from those of others.

In the case of snooker or billiards clubs or halls, for example, there is often a desire that members of the club or those playing regularly at the club or hall should be able to store their individual equipment, such as cues, in individual secure means at the premises of the club. It has previously been proposed to provide containers including a plurality of individual compartments for this purpose.

However, hitherto, such containers have suffered from the disadvantage that they incorporated compartments dimensioned and arranged for cues in their elongate, ready for use, condition, whereas increasi-ngly players have two-part cues and wish to keep them in cases designed for the two parts.

It is an object of the present invention to enable the provision of a convenient and simple container of the kind described above, and more particularly in some embodiments of the invention to enable the above mentioned disadvantage to be overcome.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided a container having a plurality of separate compartments, wherein each compartment incorporates a plurality of walls separate from the container as such and is pivotally secured to the container via at least one of said walls at or adjacent the base of the container so that the compartment at its upper end is capable of pivoting movement from the volume of the container to enable access to the compartment via its upper end, the compartment being closable within the container by a return pivotal movement into the volume of the container.

The plurality of compartments may be accessible from one face of the container, or may be accessible from more than one face, such as opposite faces, or even all around the container.

Each compartment may be individually accessible from one face only of the container.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a container of generally trunk-like rectangular configuration; a plurality of compartments located within the container in side-byside disposition with front walls disposed in a front face of the container; each compartment having side walls extending from the front wall thereof and each being pivotally secured to the container via the side walls at or adjacent the base of the container whereby the compartment at its upper end is capable of pivoting movement out from the front face of the container, for access to the compartment at its upper end, and back into the front face of the container.

The container may include locks for individually locking each compartment into its closed position within the container.

A rear wall and the top or overlying wall of the container may comprise rear and upper walls of each individual compartment, the base, front and two side walls of each container being individually provided.

Each compartment may include a handle for tilting the compartment out of the front of the container and back again.

The base of the container may include a wall or a portion of a wall inclined downwardly towards the front thereof upon which the base of each compartment may rest when tilted forward for access purposes.

The compartments may be pivotally mounted within the container by means of a pivot bar passing between the side walls of the container and through the side walls of each compartment adjacent the lower end thereof. A spring may be provided between a base wall of the container and a base wall of each compartment adapted to urge the compartment into its closed position within the container.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, one embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is an isometric view of a snooker cue case container in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a sectional side elevation of the container of Figure 1 showing a compartment in its open position; Figure 3 is a schematic sectional side view of the container of Figure 1 showing a compartment in its closed position; and Figure 4 is a schematic isometric view of one compartment of the container of Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawings, it will be seen that the container 1 has a configuration appropriate for the storage of ten two-part snooker cues, each carried within the usual form of case for such cues.

Thus, the container is of generally rectangular configuration, in practice of approximately 40" height, 40" width and 6 1/2" depth. It is provided with ten separate compartments 2, each being approximately 3 3/4" in width. The container, and its compartments, are conveniently formed of mild steel sheet appropriately shaped and painted or coated as required.

Each compartment comprises a front face 3, upon which is mounted adjacent its upper end, a handle 4 and name plate 5; two side walls 6 and 7; and a base wall 8 secured to the front face and side walls a short distance above their lower edges 9, 10 and 11.

In practice, the rear wall 12 of the cabinet, and its top wall 13 complete each individual compartment when in the closed position.

A bar 14, which may be formed of mild steel, passes between the side walls 15, 16 of the cabinet, and passes through the side walls 6 and 7 of each compartment adjacent the lower edges 10 and 11 thereof. This bar 14 acts as a pivot for the permitted movement of each compartment 2. As can most clearly be seen in Figures 2 and 3, each compartment is capable of tilting movement upon the pivot bar into an open position (Figure 2) where the upper part thereof protrudes beyond the front face 17 of the container 1 enabling access to the inside of the compartment 2, and a closed position (Figure 3) where the compartment lies wholly within the the volume of the container 1.

As can be seen, again, in Figures 2 and 3 the container is provided with a base wall 18 incorporating a portion 19 towards the front thereof which is inclined downwardly, this inclined surface portion 19 providing, as most clearly seen in Figure 2, a support surface for the lower edges 9, 10 and 11 of each compartment when in its open position.

A steel coil spring 20 is located between and attached to the base wall 8 of each compartment 2 and the inclined portion 19 of the base wall 18 of the container urging each compartment towards its closed position, thereby providing a useful spring loaded return of each compartment 2 for closure.

The container 1 is provided with key operated locks 21 above each compartment, the latch of each lock engaging in an appropriately shaped and apertured upper strip 22 of the compartment 2. This enables each compartment to be locked individually. It is to be noted that each compartment 2 is provided with an appropriately shaped rider strip 23 beneath the locking strip 22 to prevent a snooker cue case 24 catching below the locking strip thereby enabling easy removal of the cue case 24 from the compartment 2.

In operation, an individual user will use a key 25 to unlock a compartment. He will then, by means of the handle 4, pull forward the unlocked compartment 2 to its open position thereby gaining access to the interior of that compartment. After placing his cue case into the compartment , or removing it therefrom as appropriate, the individual will return the compartment to its vertical position fully within the volume of the container and re-lock it by means of his key 25.

By means of the invention, we have provided a most useful, simple and effective container having a plurality of compartments for the safe storage and ready access of snooker cue cases.

Claims (9)

CLAIMS:

1. A container having a plurality of separate compartments, wherein each compartment incorporates a plurality of walls separate from the container as such and pivotally secured to the container via at least one of said walls at or adjacent the base of the container so that the compartment at its upper end is capable of pivoting movement from the volume of the container to enable access to the compartment via its upper end, the compartment being closable within the container by a return pivotal movement into the volume of the container.

2. A container as claimed in Claim 1 wherein each of the compartments is individually accessible from one face only of the container.

3. A container of generally trunk-like rectangular configuration; a plurality of compartments located within the container in side-by-side disposition with front walls disposed in a front face of the container; each compartment having side walls extending from the front wall thereof and each being pivotally secured to the container via the side walls at or adjacent the base of the container whereby the compartment at its upper end is capable of pivoting movement out from the front face of the container, for access to the compartment at its upper end, and back into the front face of the container.

4. A container as claimed in Claim 3 wherein locks are provided for individually locking each compartment into its closed position within the container.

5. A container as claimed in Claim 3 or 4 wherein the rear wall and the top or overlying wall of the container comprise rear and upper walls of each individual compartment, the base, front and two side walls of each container being individually provided.

6. A container as claimed in Claim 3, 4 or 5 wherein the base thereof includes a wall or a portion of a wall inclined downwardly towards the front thereof upon which the base of each compartment may rest when tilted forward for access purposes.

7. A container as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 6 wherein a spring is provided between a base wall of the container and a base wall of each compartment adapted to urge the compartment into its closed position within the container.

8. A container as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 7 wherein the compartments are pivotally mounted within the container by means of a pivot-bar passing between side walls of the container and through the side walls of each compartment adjacent the lower end thereof.

9. A container substantially as shown in and as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.