GB2359293A

GB2359293A - Storage assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2359293A
Application number: GB0000513A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lyndon Derek Bradbury
Original assignee: PSB TEXTILE FABRICATIONS Ltd
Current assignee: PSB TEXTILE FABRICATIONS Ltd
Priority date: 2000-01-12
Filing date: 2000-01-12
Publication date: 2001-08-22
Anticipated expiration: 2020-01-12
Also published as: GB2359293B; GB0000513D0

Abstract

A storage assembly 10 comprises a collapsible container 12 with walls 18 and 22 foldable onto a base 16. A support arrangement 14 is provided in the form of a suspension arrangement which in use can extend across the container 12, and for collapsing can be urged against a side wall 18. The suspension arrangement is supported by two flexible wires 26, each extendible alongside a respective opposite side wall 22. The suspension arrangement is preferably in two parts which can be collapsed against respective opposite walls 18. The assembly may be used for transporting and storing parts in motor manufacturing.

Description

2359293 1 STORAGE ASSEMBLY This invention concerns a storage assembly, and

particularly but not exclusively a collapsible assembly for storing a plurality of articles.

It is often required to transport and accessibly store a plurality of articles or components, for instance for use in motor manufacturing. Storage assemblies for such purposes generally comprise a rigid frame to provide protection for the components, with an internal flexible support arrangement. Such assemblies can however occupy a considerable space when empty during storage and also transportation.

According to the present invention there is provided a storage assembly, the assembly comprising a container with a base from which four side walls extend, the container being selectively moveable between an erect condition with the side walls upstanding from the base, and a collapsed condition with the side walls lying generally flat on, or at least generally parallel to, the base; and a support arrangement located within the container, the arrangement being moveable between an in-use condition extending across the container to define a plurality of storage locations, and an out of use condition located substantially against one or more of the side walls to permit said side walls to lie generally against the base or another side wall of the container.

The support arrangement may comprise two parts selectively connectable together in the in-use condition, but separable in the out-of-use condition such that each part locates against a respective opposite first side wall of the container.

Means may be provided for releasably connecting the two parts of the support assembly together. The connecting means may comprise engagable strips of fleece and hook fastener and/or press studs.

Means may be provided for retaining the support arrangement in an out 2 of-use condition, and the retaining means may comprise a strap or clip selectively engageable between the container and the support arrangement.

The support arrangement may comprise a configuration of a flexible material, which may be a textile material. The configuration may comprise a suspension arrangement with the flexible material extending between a plurality of in-use upper support members so as to hang therebetween to define storage areas. The flexible material may be gusseted in the storage areas. One or more pockets may be provided in each storage area.

A support means is preferably provided for supporting the support arrangement in the container when in an in-use condition. The support means preferably extends along or adjacent opposite second side walls of the container. The support means is preferably arranged such that the support members of the support arrangement are movably engageable therewith.

The support means may comprise line means, and one or more formations may be provided on the second side walls of the container, with which formations the line means is supportively engageable, and desirably selectively engageable. The line means may be provided in two parts which can be disconnected when the support assembly is in the out-of-use condition.

A plurality of support arrangements may be provided, located one above another. A support means may be provided for each support arrangement, or the or all of the support arrangements except the lowest thereof. A door or other opening may be provided in one or more of the side walls of the container to permit access to the lower support arrangement or arrangements.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a first storage assembly according to the invention; 3 Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of a detail of an alternative arrangement; Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic partial cutaway perspective view of a second storage assembly according to the invention; Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic plan view of the assembly of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic side view of the assembly of Fig. 3 almost in a fully use condition; Fig. 6 is a similar view to Fig. 5 but with the assembly in an out of use condition; and Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic side view of a part of the assembly of Fig. 3.

Fig. 1 shows a storage assembly 10 comprising a collapsible container 12 and support arrangement 14. The container 10 comprises a base 16 to which a pair of opposite first side walls 18 are mounted by a hinge arrangement 20. A pair of opposite side walls 22 are also mounted to the base 16 by a second hinge arrangement 24. The first hinge arrangement 20 is located a little lower than the second arrangement 24 to permit the second side walls 22 to be folded on top of the first side walls 18 when already folded.

A support wire 26 extends alongside each of the second side walls 22 just below the top thereof. Each wire 26 is selectively supportable on two generally U shaped cross section brackets 28 on each side wall 22. The support arrangement 14 comprises two parts 30, 32 which are each made of a textile material. Each of the parts 30, 32 comprises a length of textile material with a plurality of holes 34 through which the respective wires 26 are threaded to define a suspension arrangement comprising interconnecting hanging sheets 36. A plurality of pockets 38 are provided on each of the sheets 36. Fig. 2 shows an alternative arrangement of pockets 38 on sheets 36.

4 In use, the container 12 can be assembled as shown in Fig. 1 and the two parts 30, 32 pulled generally together and components located in the pockets 38. The components can then be safely carried and stored in the assembly 10. Once all of the components have been removed from the respective pockets 38 the two parts 30, 32 can be moved apart to lie adjacent the respective walls 18. The walls 18 can then be folded flat onto the base 16 and the side walls 22 folded thereonto. This therefore provides an assembly 10 which provides good protection and accessibility to components held therein, but when not in use can be folded substantially flat with the support arrangement 14 therein and protected by the folded side walls 18, 22.

Figs. 3-7 show a second assembly 46 which operates in a generally similar manner but has a double height support arrangement 48 comprising a lower section 50 and upper section 52. Each section 50, 52 again comprises two parts 54, 56 which can be moved together when in use, or moved to the respective first walls 18 when not in use. Both of the sections 50, 52 comprise means for selectively connecting together the respective parts 54, 56. The interconnection is provided by lower and upper strips 58 of fleece and hook fastener and press studs 60. Means are also provided for retaining the parts 54, 56 against the walls 18 when not in use, and this is provided for by straps 62 engageable between the walls 18 and the respective parts 54, 56. The straps 62 may comprise a piece of fleece and hook fastener to be engageable with the respective strips 58.

The support arrangement comprises a plurality of areas defined by sheets 64 which are gusseted together at their side edges 66, and are divided in two by flexible interconnections 68. The lower section 50 does not require extra support as it rests on the base 16. The upper section 52 is again provided with a wire 70 which engages in similar brackets 72. In this instance each wire 70 is provided in two parts with engageable end clips 74. A door 76 extends partway up one of the walls 18 to permit access to the lower section 50.

In use, the respective parts 54, 56 can be pulled away from the walls 18 and interconnected by the fleece and hook fastener 58 and studs 60 as shown for instance in Fig. 4. Components can be located in the areas defined by the sheets 64 and interconnections 68. When full components can initially be accessed from the upper section 52. Once this section 52 is empty it can be folded against the first walls 18 and the straps 62 used to retain this arrangement, as shown in Fig. 1. Access is then possible to the lower section 50. Once the upper section is held by the straps 62, the end clips 74 can be disconnected and the door 76 opened to provide better access. Once the lower section 50 is empty this can be similarly folded against the first walls 18 and held therein by the respective straps 62. The first walls 18 can then be folded onto the base 16 as shown in Fig. 7, and the second walls 22 folded thereonto.

There are thus described storage assemblies with a number of advantages. The assemblies provide a flexible internal storage arrangement which does not require removal but yet permits conventional folding of the containers. It is to be realised that any of the above features can be combined in an arrangement.

Various other modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, the support arrangement or arrangements could be provided as a single part which can be folded flat against one of the end walls. This support arrangement may take many different forms and can be provided with different pockets or structures. The container may take a different form which may for instance fold differently. The side walls need not be solid and could be collapsible or extendible in a different manner. Rather than solid side walls an open frame could be provided. Different support means may be provided for the support arrangement and this could for instance be mounted to the side walls by non-slideable arrangements which could for instance comprise a fastener such as fleece and hook fastener or press studs, etc. The support arrangement could have more than two layers.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should

6.

be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

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Claims

1. A storage assembly, the assembly comprising a container with a base from which four side walls extend, the container being selectively moveable between an erect condition with the side walls upstanding from the base, and a collapsed condition with the side walls lying generally flat on, or at least generally parallel to, the base; and a support arrangement located within the container, the arrangement being moveable between an in-use condition extending across the container to define a plurality of storage locations, and an out of use condition located substantially against one or more of the side walls to permit said side walls to he generally against the base or another side wall of the container.

2. A storage assembly according to claim 1, wherein the support arrangement comprises two parts selectively connectable together in the in-use condition, but separable in the out-of-use condition such that each part locates against a respective opposite first side wall of the container.

3. A storage assembly according to claim 2, wherein means are provided for releasably connecting the two parts of the support assembly together.

4._ A storage assembly according to claim 3, wherein the connecting means comprise engagable strips of fleece and hook fastener and/or press studs.

5. A storage assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein means are provided for retaining the support arrangement in an out of-use condition.

6. A storage assembly according to claim 5, wherein the retaining means comprises a strap or clip selectively engagable between the container and the support arrangement.

7. A storage assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the 8 support arrangement comprises a configuration of a flexible material.

8. A storage assembly according to claim 7, wherein the flexible material may be a textile material.

9. A storage assembly according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the configuration comprises a suspension arrangement with the flexible material extending between a plurality of in-use upper support members so as to hang therebetween to define storage areas.

10. A storage assembly according to claim 9, wherein the flexible material is gusseted in the storage areas.

11. A storage assembly according to claim 10, wherein one or more pockets are provided in each storage area.

12. A storage assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a support means is provided for supporting the support arrangement in the container when in an in-use condition.

13. A storage assembly according to claim 12, wherein the support means extends along or adjacent opposite second side walls of the container.

14. A storage assembly according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the support means is arranged such that the support members'of the support arrangement are movably engagable therewith.

15. A storage assembly according to any of claims 12, 13 or 14, wherein the support means comprises line means.

16. A stor age assembly according to claim 15, wherein one or more formations are provided on the second side walls of the container, with which formations the line means is supportively engagable.

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17. A storage assembly according to claim 16, wherein the line means is selectively engagable with the formations.

18. A storage assembly according to any of claims 15, 16 or 17, wherein the line means is provided in two parts which can be disconnected when the support assembly is in the out-of-use condition.

19. A storage assembly according to a ny of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of support arrangements are provided, located one above another.

20. A storage assembly according to claim 19, wherein a support means is provided for each support arrangement.

21. A storage assembly according to claim 19, wherein a support means is provided for the or all of the support arrangements except the lowest thereof.

22. A storage assembly according to any of claims 19, 20 or 21, wherein a door or other opening is provided in one or more of the side walls of the container to permit access to the lower support arrangement or arrangements.

23. A storage assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.

24. A storage assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 3 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.

25. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel 'subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.