GB2214493A - Container - Google Patents

Abstract

A container 1 comprises a plurality of compartments 2 having an open top 5. The compartments are stacked side by side and joined by a parallel arms 4 allowing the containers to be moved together and apart whilst the top 5 remain accessible. A plate 22 is provided for mounting on a wall. <IMAGE>

Description

CONTAINER The present invention relates to a container.

Tool boxes, sewing baskets and the like comprise a plurality of compartments which are stacked one on another and connected by a parallel arm linkage. To gain access to the lower compartments it is necessary to open out the box which is generally free standing on a floor.

The present invention provides a container comprising a plurality of compartments which each have an opening at a top thereof for insertion of items into the compartment, wherein adjacent compartments are arranged side by side and connected together by a parallel arm linkage.

By arranging the containers side by side, the tops of all of the containers are accessible when the containers are closed together or opened apart. The container of the invention is particularly suitable for mounting on a wall to receive magazines, kitchen tools etc.

Other preferred features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying claims.

The invention will be further described by way of example with reference to the accomanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container according to the invention in an extended position; Figure 2 is a perpective view of the container of Figure 1 in a retracted position; Figure 3 is a side view of the container as seen in Figure 2; Figure 4 is an exploded cross-sectional part view on line IV-IV of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a plan view of an arm for connecting compartments of the container, and Figure 6 is a cross-section on line VI-VI of Figure 3.

Figure 1 shows a container 1 in accordance with the invention. The container comprises a plurality, in this example, four compartments 2 connected together by a parallel arm linkage 3 comprised of arms 4, 4'.

Each compartment 2 is of generally flat rectangular shape having a top 5 which is open, parallel front and back walls 6, 7, side walls 8 and a bottom wall 9 which is of arcuate cross-section. Each compartment is formed in two halves 2a, 2b and moulded from plastics material. The two container halves 2a, 2b abut along facing surfaces 10, 11 (Figure 4) and are located relative to one another by means of a plurality of pin-like projections 12 formed on one surface 10, which are received in a complementary recess 13 in the other surface 11 (Figure 4). The compartment halves 2a, 2b are held together by the arms 4, as will be described hereinafter.

As shown in the drawings, the compartment halves are slightly different, the front half in particular having laterally extending slots in the front wall 6 for enhanced visual appearance and to allow identification of the contents of the compartment.

It will be appreciated that the front and back halves 2a, 2b may be identical.

The compartments 2 are connected by the arms 4, 4' which form a parallel arm linkage. Referring to Figure 5, each arm 4 is formed of plastics and is generally strip-like with three apertures 14, 15 thereon. The apertures in the ends have a narrow slot portion 17 which terminate at one end in an enlarged circular portion 18. The central aperture 15 has two narrow slot portions 17 connected by a circular portion 18. Referring in particular to Figure 4, three equally spaced protrusions 21 are formed on the side walls 8 of each compartment 2.

The protrusions are mushroom shaped and comprise a cylindrical portion 19 which ends in an enlarged head portion 20. The cylindrical portion 19 is a snug fit within the circular portion 18 of the respective slot 14, 15, the arm 4, 4' being engaged behind the head 20 and being a close fit between the head and wall 8 to provide a frictional fit between the arm and the compartment.

Each protrusion 21 is formed in two halves, 21a, 21b formed integrally with the respective compartment halves 2a, 2b. The arms 4 serve to lock the compartment halves 2a, 2b together as well as joining the adjacent compartments.

It can be seen that each pair of adjacent compartments is joined on each side by two parallel arms 4, a shorter arm 4' forming the second arm for connecting two end compartments.

A wall mounting plate 22 is mounted between the two end most arms 4. The plate 22 has a hollow boss 23 having a keyhole shaped slot (not shown) in an end wall 24 for mounting the plate on a screw or the like fixed to a wall.

The plate 22 has protrusions 25 at each side which are engaged in respective apertures 14 in the arms 4. Each protrusions 25 has a head of the same dimensions as heads 20 however the stem 26 is retangular in cross-section and dimensioned so that it will rotate freely in the circular portion 18 and so that it will slide into the elongate slot portion 17 to lock it in position against turning relative to the arm 4.

To assemble the container, the respective compartment halves 2a, 2b are mated and the arms 4, 4' are snap-fitted onto the protrusions 21, 25 on the container sides and the plate 22.

By reference to Figures 1 and 2 it can be seen that the compartments can be moved together or apart in concertina fashion, the tops 5 of each compartment always being accessible. Also the number of compartments can be readily increased or decreased.

Various modifications may be made to the described embodiment. For example, the compartment halves may be welded or glued together, the compartments may be of integral construction, a lid may be provided on the top of each compartment, the rear wall of the end compartment may have a keyhole slot or the like for mounting directly on a wall. It is desired to include all such modifications as fall within the scope of the accomanying claims.

Claims (10)

1. A container comprising a plurality of compartments which each have an opening at a top thereof for insertion of items into the compartment, wherein adjacent compartments are arranged side by side and connected together by a parallel arm linkage.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein each compartment is formed of two halves, the two halves being held together by means of the arms of the parallel arm linkage.

3. A container as claimed in claim 2, wherein the container halves abut on facing surfaces, and protrusions are provided on at least one of said surfaces for engagement in recesses in the other surface to locate the two halves.

4. A container as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein arms of the linkage comprise elongate strips having apertures therein, the apertures engaging protrusions on ends of the compartments.

5. A container as claimed in claim 4, wherein a said protrusion comprises a cylindrical stem extending from the respective end of the compartment and having an enlarged head on an end distal of the compartment, and a said aperture comprises an elongate slot portion having a width narrower than the stem and a circular portion for snugly receiving the stem.

6. A container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein adjacent containers are connected together by a pair of arms on each side, one arm of each pair connecting three containers.

7. A container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, having a wall mounting plate pivotably connected to an end one of the compartments for mounting the container on a wall.

8. A container as claimed in claim 7, wherein the wall mounting plate is pivotably connected to ends of a pair of arms connecting the end compartment to the next adjacent one.

9. A container as claimed in claim 8, wherein means is provided for locking the orientation of the wall plate relative to the arms.

10. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.