US2658640A - Children's hamper with steps combined - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 10, 1953 c, BAYLES 2,658,640

CHILDREN'S HAMPER WITH STEPS COMBINED Filed July 17, 1950 4:2 F ig. 3

Donald C. Bay/es INVENTOR.

50 52 42 52 BY MM 5%.?

Patented Nov. 10, 1953 CHILDRENS HAMP COMBIN ER WITH STEPS Donald C. Bayles, Adams, Wis., assignor of fortynine per cent to. Robert H. Soucek, Friendship, Wis.

Application July 17, 1950, Serial No. 174,165

The present invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in clothes hampers and has more particular reference to a relatively small light-weight portable hamper which is expressly adapted for use by children in the home, said hamper being individual in character not only because of its miniature proportions but novel in that it embodies upper and lower treads functioning as steps.

More specifically, the invention has to do with a novel and practical hamper which serves as a container for small and miscellaneous garments and similar little things, and which, due to the fact that it has steps, functions as a socalled step stool.

The obvious objective of the invention is to provide a combination hamper and step stool for children to enable them to help themselves when at a lavatory or sink, to enable them to safely climb in and out of bed and to provide handy storage space for articles that have to be picked up and momentarily put away from time to time.

Another object is to provide the aforemem tioned combination hamper and step stool which has a convenient hand hole in a front wall and which, though light in weight, is sturdy. It may be picked up and carried about by a youngster, placed near the sink to enable him to get a drink of water, placed adjacent to a wash basin to enable him to wash his face and hands and which is sufficiently reliable that it may be employed by the housewife to conveniently obtain access to articles on elevated cabinet shelves in the kitchen and elsewhere.

Briefly summarized, the combination device comprises a wicker or equivalent ventilated hamper which is small and of low elevation and wherein the lid thereof constitutes an upper step. The front wall of the hamper constitutes a kick-board and is provided with a hand hole for convenient carrying purposes. Attached to and projecting outwardly from the so-called kick board is a box-like hollow extension, forming a part of the hamper but primarily serving as a low or approach step, whereby to thus provide a hamper with high and low steps to be used in the manner stated.

Other objects and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views;

1 Claim. (Cl. 217-) Figure 1 is a perspective view of a combination hamper and step stool constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view on an enlarged scale, taken approximately on the plane of the irregular vertical line 2--2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a horizontal section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the upper frame of the framework.

Referring now to the drawing by way of numerals and accompanying lead lines, the part of the structure denoted by the numeral 5 constitutes the hamper proper, whereas the component or part denoted by the numeral 8 constitutes the extension or approach step. The latter is sometimes referred to as a riser.

The hamper part is characterized interiorly by a framework. The framework embodies a 'horziontal top frame Hi made up of suitable frame members I2v having their end portions suitably notched, overlapped as at Hi and It (see Figure 4) and glued and fastened together as at i3. The uprights or legs, there being four of these, are denoted by the numerals 28. The two side walls 2222 are of suitable wicker material and are joined by a rear wicker wall 24. These substantially enclose the framework in an obvious fashion and are attached thereto by customary braided strips 2%. The top wall is a solid wooden panel 28 and this is hingedly mounted on the top frame as at 30 and functions, obviously, as a lid, on the one hand, and as a top or upper step, on the other hand. The front half-wall is denoted at 32 and this is fastened to the front member of the top frame it and to the upper portions of the legs 28. It provides a kick-board and is provided with a hand hole 34, whereby the entire structure may be picked up and carried about conveniently. There is a U-frame of an inverted type 35 which constitutes the essential interior construction for the extension step 8. This is relatively low and includes a horizontal cross-piece 38 and vertical legs 49. This is closed in by two solid wooden or equivalent side walls 42 and 44 and a front drop wall 46. There is in addition a horizontal top panel or wall 48 and this is fastened to the frame member 33 and rests on the upper edges of the walls 42, 54 and 46. It is suitably fastened in place and underlies the lower edge of the half-wall 32. It serves to enclose the frame 36 and also to provide a box-like auxiliary receptacle for the main hamper or receptacle. Primarily, however, it is a low or approach step for the user.

The bottom is a single panel or Wall 50 and this is attached to all of the legs 20 and 40 and is suitably notched to cooperate with the legs and is slightly elevated above the legs so that the extending lower portions of the legs constitute supporting feet 52 which may be suitably levelled in an obvious manner.

The two-way combination structure herein disclosed and described constitutes a unique piece of furniture which provides the facilities of a hamper, on the one hand, and a step stool, on the other hand, It is felt that the construction employed is one in which manufacturers and users will find their essential needs fully met, contained and successfully available.

In view of the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, it is believed that a clear understanding of the device will be quite apparent to those skilled in this art. A more detailed description is accordingly deemed unnecessary.

It is to be understood, however, that even though there is herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention, the same is susceptible to certain changes fully comprehended by the spirit of the invention as herein described and within the scape of the appended claim.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

For use by children, a light-weight portable step-stool having a clothes hamper incorporated therein and forming a part thereof, said stepstool being unobstruotedly hollow throughout and comprising a main framework embodying a horizontal top frame, vertical supporting legs attached at their upper ends to the corner portions of and depending from said frame, said legs being spaced apart, a one-piece bottom having marginal edge portions joined to and interconnect ing the lower portions of said vertical legs, a portion of said bottom projecting at right angles '4 beyond two of said vertical legs, an inverted U-shaped frame of a height appreciably less than the height of said main framework, said U -shaped frame having a horizontal cross-piece and vertical legs, the lower ends of said legs being joined with marginal edge portions of said bottom and said cross-piece being on a plane well below the plane of the top frame, said bottom having its edges notched to receive said vertical legs with the legs projecting below the plane of said bottom as feet, said U-shaped frame being spaced beyond said main frame, ventilated rear and side vertical walls enclosing said main framework and attached to cooperating ones of said vertical legs, solid front and side walls attached to and enclosing said U-shaped frame with said side walls attached to lower half portions of two of the adjacent vertical legs, a solid horizontal top wall mounted on the cross-piece of said U-shaped frame and having its marginal edge portions seated on the upper edge portions of said solid front and side walls, a solid lid hinged on and covering said horizontal top frame, and a vertical front wall attached to the upper portions of the front legs of said main framework and having its lower end resting on the adjacent inner end portion of said horizontal top wall and also having a hand-hole therein.

DONALD C. BAYLES.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 431,058 Kaufmann July 1, 1890 441,326 Patterson Nov. 25, 1890 854,244 Smith May 21, 1907 1,069,071 Nelson July 29, 1913 1,253,067 McGahan Jan. 8, 1918 1,700,959 Street Feb. 5, 1929 2,017,917 Nichols Oct. 22, 1935 2,019,853 Heath et a1. Nov. 5, 1935 2,097,273 Feist Oct. 26, 1937 2,187,403 Rubin Jan. 16, 1940 2,495,374 Horn Jan. 24, 1950

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