GB2457723A

GB2457723A - A basket for a storage assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2457723A
Application number: GB0803328A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gordon Hawkins
Original assignee: SPENCER Manufacturing Ltd
Current assignee: SPENCER Manufacturing Ltd
Priority date: 2008-02-23
Filing date: 2008-02-23
Publication date: 2009-08-26
Anticipated expiration: 2028-02-23
Also published as: GB0803328D0; GB2457723B

Abstract

A basket 23 for a storage assembly 10 having a base 24 from which extend a plurality of sides 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d with each side having a depth in a direction generally perpendicular to the base 24 and a width in a direction generally parallel to the base 24. At least one of the sides 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d comprises one or more elongate parts each of which is spaced from the base 24 or an adjacent part by a space which extends continuously along the entire width or depth of the side. Recesses on two opposing sides 26c,26d are arranged to accommodate vertical parts of a frame 12. Studs 30 in the frame elements support the baskets. Frame 12 is mounted on runners 16 at the top and bottom to enable the storage rack to be slid in and out from a cabinet 14.

Description

Title: Storage System

Description of Invention

The present invention relates to a storage system, particularly, but not exclusively to a larder storage system for use in a kitchen.

Kitchen storage systems comprising a plurality of wire baskets supported on a frame are known, and the frame is typically mounted on runners in a cabinet to allow a user to slide the frame and baskets out of the cabinet to gain easy access to the baskets. Such systems are typically supplied as a kit of parts for assembly on site during the fitting of the kitchen, but the wire baskets are generally provided in their finished form, and as a consequence of this, even when packaged as a kit of parts, the system tends to be bulky, and therefore expensive to transport.

According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a basket for a storage assembly having a base from which extend a plurality of sides, each side having a depth in a direction generally perpendicular to the base and a width in a direction generally parallel to the base, wherein at least one of the sides comprises one or more elongate parts each of which is spaced from the base or an adjacent part by a space which extends continuously along the entire width or depth of the side.

Preferably the side in question comprises a plurality of elongate parts.

Preferably the basket has two pairs of sides, the sides in each pair being generally parallel to one another. In this case, preferably both sides of the first pair of sides comprises a plurality of elongate parts each of which is spaced from the adjacent part by a space which extends continuously along the entire width or depth of the side.

Preferably where the or each space extends along the entire width of the side, the size of the space parallel to the depth of the side is greater than the size of the elongate parts parallel to the depth of the side. Similarly, where the or each space extends along the entire depth of the side, the size of the space parallel to the width of the side is greater than the size of the elongate parts parallel to the width of the side.

Preferably the or each space extends continuously along the entire width of the side.

The elongate parts are preferably generally to one another, and may also be generally parallel to the base.

The second pair of sides may also include a first set of elongate parts which lie generally parallel to the base and to each other, and a second set of elongate parts which lie generally perpendicular to the parts in the first set, and which connect the parts in the first set.

In this case, each one of the first set of elongate parts may be connected to one of the elongate parts of the first pair of sides.

The base of the basket may be formed from a plurality elongate parts which extend between the sides of one of the pairs of sides, preferably between the first pair of sides. The base may further comprise a second set of elongate parts which extend between the sides of the other pair of sides. In this case each one of the second set of elongate parts of the base may be connected to one of the second set of elongate parts of the second pair of sides.

Preferably the sides extend generally perpendicular to the base.

The base may also be provided with a base plate which rests in the basket on top of the elongate parts.

I

The first pair of sides may be configured to provide a recess in the exterior of each side which extends in towards the interior of the basket and which lies generally centrally between the second pair of sides and perpendicular to the base.

According to a second aspect of the invention we provide a set of baskets including a first and second basket according to the first aspect of the invention, the separation of the first pair of sides of the first basket being substantially the same as in the second basket, and the separation of the second pair of sides of the first basket being larger than the separation of the second pair of sides of the second basket.

By virtue of the first pair of sides of both baskets comprising only parts which extend generally parallel to the base and to each other, the second basket may be stacked inside the first basket, despite the baskets being the same length.

According to a third aspect of the invention we provide a storage assembly comprising a frame on which is supported a first and second basket according the first aspect of the invention.

Preferably the frame comprises first and second generally paraUel struts, each of the baskets being supported on a pair of support formations, one support formation being provided on each of the first and second struts. Preferably each of the support formations is provided on a surface of the strut which faces the other strut, and each support formation engages with one of the first pair of sides of the basket.

Where the first pair of sides of the baskets are configured to provide a recess in the exterior of each side which extends in towards the interior of the basket and which lies generally centrally between the second pair of sides and perpendicular to the base, each strut is preferably located in the recess.

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The elongate parts of each one of the first pair of sides includes an upper part and a lower part, the lower part being closer to the base than the upper part, and the upper part of each of the first pair of sides preferably rests on one of the support formations. In this case, the recess provided in the lower part may be deeper than the recess provided in the upper part.

Preferably the recesses are configured such that, when resting on the support formations, the sides of the first pair of sides engage with the struts to substantially prevent movement of the basket in any direction generally parallel to the base.

Preferably the frame and baskets are mounted in a cabinet, the cabinet having a base, a top, a back, two sides and a door which is parallel to the back, the frame being mounted on runners secured to the top and base of the cabinet, and one of the struts being secured to the door.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: FIGURE 1 shows an assembled storage system according to the first aspect of the invention in a closed position, FIGURE 2 shows the storage system of Figure 1 in an open position, FIGURE 3 shows an exploded view of the storage system of Figures 1 and 2 without the door and cabinet, FIGURE 4 shows a basket from the storage system of Figure 1, FIGURE 5 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the storage system shown in Figure 1, with a) a basket being lowered into position on the frame and b) the basket in position on the frame, and

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FIGURE 6 shows a pair of baskets from the storage system of Figure 1 with a) the smaller baskets being lowered into position for stacking inside the larger basket, b) the smaller basket stacked inside the larger basket.

FIGURE 7 shows the storage system of Figure 1 as a kit of parts prior to assembly.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a storage system 10 comprising a support frame 12 which is mounted on runners 16a, 16b in a cabinet 14, the runners 16a, 16b permitting a user to slide the frame 12 into and out of the cabinet 14. The cabinet 14 is made from a plurality of generally rectangular boards, typically made from wood, or wood laminate or resin covered MDF, and comprises a base 14a, a top 14b, a back 14c and two generally parallel sides 14d, and is closed by a door 18 which is opposite and generally parallel to the back 14c.

The frame 12 is generally rectangular and formed from four metallic tubes I 2a, 12b, 12c, 12d each with a generally square transverse cross-section, adjacent tubes being welded together at the corners of the rectangular frame 12. The lowermost tube 12a is mounted in runners 16a secured to the base 14a of the cabinet whilst the uppermost tube 12b is mounted in runners 16b secured to the top 14b of the cabinet 14 so that lowermost 12a and uppermost 12b tubes lie generally equidistant between and generally parallel to the sides 14d of the cabinet 14 and side tubes 12c, 12d extend generally vertically between the lowermost and uppermost tubes 12a, 12b.

The side tubes comprise a back tube 12c which is nearest to the back 14c of the cabinet 14, and a front tube 12d to which the door 18 is secured by means of three attachment plates 19. A handle 20 is provided on the opposite side of the door 18 to that to which the front tube 12d is secured, so that a user can pull or push on the handle 20 to slide the frame 12 into or out of the cabinet 14 respectively. As illustrated in Figure 1, when the storage system is in the closed position, the door 18 engages with and lies flush against front edges of the base 14a, top 14b and sides 14c of the cabinet 14, whilst the back part 1 2c of the frame 12 lies adjacent the back 1 4d of the cabinet 14.

As illustrated in Figure 3, the frame 12 is formed in sections, in this example.

three sections, namely a top section 13a which is generally U-shaped and comprises the uppermost tube 12a and uppermost portions of the back 12c and front 12d tubes, an H-shaped middle section 13b which comprises two middle portions of the back 12c and front 12d tubes which are joined by a strengthening bar 21, which is welded to and extends between and generally perpendicular to the back tube 12c and the front tube 12d so as to stabilise and strengthen the frame 12, and a bottom section 13c which is generally U-shaped and comprises the lowermost tube 12b and lowermost portions of the back 12c and front 12d tubes. Dividing the frame 12 into sections in this way is advantageous as it enables the frame 12 to fit into a smaller package for transportation prior to assembly than would be possible if the frame 12 was formed in one piece.

The middle section 1 3b is secured to the bottom section 1 3c by means of four connecting plates 22, each of which is generally rectangular and provided with two apertures. Two of the plates 22 are located inside the back tube 12c of the frame extending from the middle section 13b to the bottom section 13c with the apertures aligned with corresponding apertures provided in the frame 12, and are fastened to the tube by means of fastener, in this example nuts and bolts, a bolt extending through each pair of aligned apertures.

The top section 13a may be secured to the middle section 13b in the same way, but, in this example, in order to provide for adjustment of the height (i.e. the distance between the uppermost tube 12a and the lowermost tube 12b) of the frame 12, the portions of the back 12c and front 12d tubes of the top section 1 3a are located inside the portions of the back 1 2c and front 1 2d tubes of the middle section 1 3b, so that top section 1 3a is telescopically adjustable relative to the middle section 1 3b. When the top section 1 3a is located relative to the middle section 13b in the position required to achieved the desired frame height, the two sections 13a and 13b are fastened together, in this example, by means of nuts and bolts, a bolt extending through adjacent apertures in the adjoining portions of the back 12c and front 12d tubes of the frame 12. By virtue of this adjustability of the frame 12, the same frame 12 may be used in relation to a range of different height cabinets 14.

On the frame 12 are mounted five generally rectangular storage baskets 23.

The baskets 23 are each made from a plurality of circular cross-section wires which are bent to the required shape and welded together. The wires are made from stainless or chromed steel. The base of each basket 23 is formed from a plurality of, in this example eleven, generally parallel base wires 24 which, when the basket 23 is mounted on the frame 12, extend from the front 12d to the back 12c of the frame 12, i.e. from one end of the basket 23 to the other. The sides of each basket 23 are formed by a plurality of wires 26 (in this example three) each of which is bent to form a generally rectangular ring having two generally parallel side parts 26a, 26b which, when the basket 23 is mounted in the frame 12, extend from the front 12d to the back 12c of the frame 12, a back part 26c which is located at the end of the basket 23 towards the back 1 4d of the cabinet 14 and a front part 26d which is located at the end of the basket 23 adjacent the door 18.

The back and front parts 26c, 26d of the lowermost ring 26 are welded to the ends of the base wires 24, the middle ring 26' is spaced from and positioned vertically above the lowermost ring 26, and the uppermost ring 26" is spaced from and positioned vertically above the middle ring 26', each of the rings 26, 26', 26" lying generally parallel to the others. The spacing between adjacent rings 26, 26', 26" is greater than the diameter of the wires from which the rings 26, 26' and 26" are formed. Three support wires 28 are provided, and these extend along the bottom of the basket 23 beneath and generally perpendicular to the base wires 24 and up each side of the basket 23 on the outside of the sides 26a, 26b of the rings 26, 26' 26". The support wires 28 are welded to the base wires 24 and the side parts 26a, 26b of the three rings 26, 26', 26" and thus the middle and uppermost rings 26', 26" are supported by the support wires 28. One of the three support wires 28 lies centrally between the ends of the basket 23, one lies adjacent the front part 26d of the lowermost ring 26 and one lies adjacent the back part 26c of the lowermost ring 26.

The basket 23 may be provided with a solid rectangular base, preferably made from a coloured plastics material, which sits in the basket 23 on top of the base wires 24.

Each basket 23 is secured to the frame 12 by means of two studs 30, one of which is provided on inside face of the back part 12c of the frame 12, i.e. the side of the back part 12c which faces the front part 12d of the frame 12, and the other of which is provided on the inside face of the front part 12d of the frame 12, i.e. the side of the front part 12d which faces the back part 12c of the frame 12. The studs 30 are, in this example, welded to the frame 12, but it will be appreciated that these may be secured to the frame 12 any other way, for example they may be located in apertures provided in the frame 12. Each basket 23 is supported by means of a generally central portion of the back 26c and front 26d parts of the middle ring 26' resting on top of the back and front studs 30 respectively.

The back 26c and front 26d parts of each of the rings 26, 26', 26" are bent in four places to form a generally rectangular recess which is provided in the outside of the basket 23 and extends into the interior of the basket generally centrally between the two sides 26a, 26b. The dimensions of the recess are such that the back 12c and front 12d parts of the frame 12 may be accommodated in the recess, and, as such, when the basket 23 is supported on the studs 30 as described above, the sides 26a, 26b of the basket 23 can extend along substantially the entire available depth of the cabinet 12, i.e. when the door 18 is in the closed position, from the door 18 to the back 14d of the cabinet 14. As such, by virtue of locating the frame 12 in recesses provided in the ends of the basket, the storage space available in the basket 23 is maximised. Moreover, as the recess in the rings 26, 26', 26" fits snugly around the back 1 2c and front 1 2d parts of the frame 12, horizontal movement of the basket 23 is substantially prevented.

It will also be appreciated, however, that, because the frame 18 is located in recesses in the ends of the basket 23, it is not possible to mount a basket 23 on its mounting studs 30 by sliding the basket 23 horizontally between the back 12c and front 12d tubes of the frame 12. In order to do this, the basket 23 must be inclined so that one end is higher than the other, moved into position between the back 1 2c and front 1 2d tubes of the frame 12 with the generally central portion of the middle ring 26' at the lowermost end of the basket 23 positioned above the stud 30 on which the basket 23 is to be supported, and the uppermost end of the basket 23 lowered until the middle ring 26' of that end of the basket 23 engages with the horizontally opposite stud 30 on the other side of the frame 12.

In order to assist a user in doing this, in this example, the lowermost ring 26 is configured such that the recess in the lowermost ring 26 is deeper than the recesses in the middle 26' and uppermost 26" rings. As will be appreciated, this prevents the lowermost ring 26 from catching on the stud 30 as the uppermost end of the basket 23 is lowered, and allows the basket 23 to be brought to rest with the middle ring 26' supported by the stud 30.

It will be appreciated that the recesses in the ends 26c, 26d of the basket 23 need not be generally rectangular. For example, the frame 12 could be made from generally circular, or semi-circular cross-section tubing, and in this case, the recess could be generally semi-circular.

It should also be appreciated that the studs 30 on which the baskets 23 are supported may be provided on the surfaces of the back 12c and front 12d tubes of the frame 12 which face the sides 14d of the cabinet 14. In this case, two studs 30 would be provided for each end of a basket 23, one extending from each of the opposite surfaces of the back 12c and frond 12d tubes facing the sides 14d of the cabinet. Rather than being welded to the frame 12, the studs 30 could comprise a pin which extends through two apertures proved in the sides of the frame 12 from one side to the other, the pin being provided with stops at both ends (one of which may be screwed on to a threaded end of the pin and the other of which may be an integral head of the pin) to prevent the pin from sliding out of the apertures.

In this case, in order to facilitate lowering of the lowermost ring 26 over the studs 30 during installation of the baskets 23 it may be necessary for the recess in the lowermost ring 26 to be wider, rather than deeper, than the recesses in the rings 26', 26" above.

The storage system 10 described above is intended to be shipped in a kit form, for assembly on site, for example during fitting of a kitchen. As such, efficient packing to minimise the volume occupied by the kit is desirable so as to minimise the cost of transporting the kit. As already explained above, to achieve this, in this example, the frame 12 is manufactured in three parts, but the baskets 23, being fabricated by welding together a plurality of wires, are supplied in their finished form ready for mounting on the frame 12. In order to minimise the volume occupied by the baskets 23, the baskets 23 are configured so at least a pair of baskets 23 may be stacked together.

In order to achieve this, three of the baskets 23a are a little wider than the other two baskets 23b (in this example 20mm wider), the width of the baskets 23 being the distance between the sides 26a, 26b. The lengths of all the baskets 23 are all the substantially same, however, so in order for one of the smaller baskets 23b to be stacked inside one of the larger baskets 23a, an end of the smaller basket 23b must be inserted into an end of the larger basket 23a so that the rings 26, 26', 26" of the baskets 23 interlock, the lowermost ring of

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the smaller basket 23b sifting on top of the lowermost ring of the larger basket 23a, the middle ring of the smaller basket 23b sitting on top of the middle ring of the larger basket 23a, and the uppermost ring of the smaller basket 23b sitting on top of the uppermost ring of the larger basket 23a. The other end of the smaller basket 23b may then be lowered into the other end of the larger basket 23a. This process is illustrated in Figures 6a & 6b. This can only be achieved because the ends 26c, 26d of the baskets 23 are formed from a plurality of spaced wires, and do not include any parts extending at an angle to these wires and traversing the space between the wires, i.e. the space between the adjacent wires extends along substantially the entire width of the end 26c, 26d, and the spacing between the adjacent rings 26, 26', 26" is greater than the diameter of the wires from which the rings are formed.

The storage system 10 may therefore be packaged as a kit of parts as illustrated in Figure 7, with four of the five baskets stacked in two pairs, one inside the other in each pair. As will be appreciated, the volume occupied by the kit is, as a result of the stacking of the baskets 23, is significantly lower than if stacking of the baskets 23 were not possible.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

SCLAIMS1. A basket for a storage assembly having a base from which extend a plurality of sides, each side having a depth in a direction generally perpendicular to the base and a width in a direction generally parallel to the base, wherein at least one of the sides comprises one or more elongate parts each of which is spaced from the base or an adjacent part by a space which extends continuously along the entire width or depth of the side.
2. A basket according to claim I wherein the side in question comprises a plurality of elongate parts.
3. A basket according to claimi or 2 wherein the basket has two pairs of sides.
4. A basket according to claim 3 wherein the sides in each pair are generally parallel to one another.
5. A basket according to claim 3 or 4 wherein both sides of the first pair of sides comprises a plurality of elongate parts each of which is spaced from the adjacent part by a space which extends continuously along the entire width or depth of the side.
6. A basket according to any preceding claim wherein, where the or each space extends along the entire width of the side, the size of the space parallel to the depth of the side is greater than the size of the elongate parts parallel to the depth of the side, or, where the or each space extends along the entire depth of the side, the size of the space parallel to the width of the side is greater than the size of the elongate parts parallel to the width of the side.
7. A basket according to any preceding claim wherein the or each space extends continuously along the entire width of the side.
8. A basket according to any preceding claim wherein the elongate parts are generally parallel to one another.
9. A basket according to claim 8 wherein the elongate parts are generally parallel to the base.
10. A basket according to any preceding claim wherein the second pair of sides also include a first set of elongate parts which lie generally parallel to the base and to each other, and a second set of elongate parts which lie generally perpendicular to the parts in the first set, and which connect the parts in the first set.
11. A basket according to claim 10 wherein each one of the first set of elongate parts may be connected to one of the elongate parts of the first pair of sides.
12. A basket according to any preceding claim wherein the base of the basket is formed from a plurality elongate parts which extend between the sides of one of the pairs of sides, preferably between the first pair of sides.
13. A basket according to claim 12 wherein the base further comprises a second set of elongate parts which extend between the sides of the other pair of sides.
14. A basket according to claim 13 wherein each one of the second set of elongate parts of the base is connected to one of the second set of elongate parts of the second pair of sides.
15. A basket according to any preceding claim wherein the sides extend generally perpendicular to the base.
16. A basket according to any preceding claim wherein the base is also provided with a base plate which rests in the basket on top of the elongate parts.
17. A basket according to any preceding claim wherein the first pair of sides are configured to provide a recess in the exterior of each side which extends in towards the interior of the basket and which lies generally centrally between the second pair of sides and perpendicular to the base.
18. A set of baskets including a first and second basket according to any preceding claim, wherein the separation of the first pair of sides of the first basket is substantially the same as in the second basket, and the separation of the second pair of sides of the first basket is larger than the separation of the second pair of sides of the second basket.
19. A storage assembly comprising a frame on which is supported a first and second basket according to any one of claims I to 17.
20. A storage assembly according to claim 19 wherein the frame comprises first and second generally parallel struts, each of the baskets being supported on a pair of support formations, one support formation being provided on each of the first and second struts.
21. A storage assembly according to claim 20 wherein each of the support formations is provided on a surface of the strut which faces the other strut.
22. A storage assembly according to claim 20 or 21 wherein each support formation engages with one of the first pair of sides of the basket.
23. A storage assembly according to claim 22 wherein, where the first pair of sides of the baskets are configured to provide a recess in the exterior of each side which extends in towards the interior of the basket and which lies generally centrally between the second pair of sides and perpendicular to the base, a portion of each strut is located in the recess.
24. A storage assembly according to claim 23 wherein the elongate parts of each one of the first pair of sides includes an upper part and a lower part, theIlower part being closer to the base than the upper part, and the upper part of each of the first pair of sides rests on one of the support formations.
25. A storage assembly according to claim 24 wherein the recess provided in the lower part is deeper than the recess provided in the upper part.
26. A storage assembly according to claim 24 or 35 wherein the recesses are configured such that, when resting on the support formations, the sides of the first pair of sides engage with the struts to restrict movement of the basket in any direction generally parallel to the base.
27. A storage assembly according to any one of claims 19 to 26 wherein the frame and baskets are mounted in a cabinet, the cabinet having a base, a top, a back, two sides and a door which is parallel to the back, the frame being mounted on runners secured to the top and base of the cabinet, and one of the struts being secured to the door.
28. A basket substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/ or as shown in the accompanying drawings.
29. A set of baskets substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.
30. A storage assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.
31. Any novel feature or novel combination of features substantially as hereinbefore described or shown in the accompanying drawings.