WO1999005907A1

WO1999005907A1 - A tackle box with pivot out shelves

Info

Publication number: WO1999005907A1
Application number: PCT/AU1998/000596
Authority: WO
Inventors: Moray Mcintosh
Original assignee: Moray Mcintosh
Priority date: 1997-07-28
Filing date: 1998-07-28
Publication date: 1999-02-11

Abstract

Tackle box (11) has a number of pivot out shelves. The box (11) also comprises a bottom wall (17), a top wall (16) and a side wall (18) having opposed side edges. Side wall (18) is rigidly connected to bottom wall (17) and top wall (16) to form a structural unit where the top wall and bottom wall are fixed relative to each other. An axle has one end attached to the top wall and another end attached to the bottom wall. A number of pivot out shelves (12-14) can individually pivot between a closed position where shelves (12-14) are within the unit, and an open position where the contents of the shelves can be accessed. Each shelf is pivotally attached to the axle and is vertically arranged relative to each other. Each shelf has an outer wall, a portion of which abuts against a side edge of the side wall when the shelf is in the closed position. The axle is located adjacent a periphery of the shelf. The box (11) may house various other articles such as sewing equipment, nuts, bolts, screws, nails, drill bits, games and game pieces, or jewellery.

Description

TITLE A Tackle box with pivot out shelves FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a container for housing articles. The invention is primarily concerned with providing an improved robust tackle box for fishing equipment (which can include quite heavy items such as lead sinkers), and therefore will be described in this context. However, the invention is not limited to storage of fishing tackle and may be used for storage of other articles for instance sewing equipment.

BACKGROUND ART One popular type of fishing tackle container has a bottom central shelf and two top shelves. The top shelves are pivotally mounted to the central bottom self. The two shelves may be moved between a closed position allowing access to only the top shelves and an open position allowing access to the bottom shelf.

The fishing tackle container is relatively stable when located on a ground surface in the closed position. However, when access to the bottom shelf is required the two shelves must be pivoted outwardly. Thus, the two shelves provide a cantilever where only minimum amount of force is required to tip the container over. This makes this type of container not suitable for use in small boats which are often subject to large amounts of movement. Further, if heavy items are located in the top shelves, no additional force need be applied to the shelves to cause the container to tip over. Another known type of fishing tackle container has a box with a number of removable shelves. This container offers the same stability as the above container in the closed position. However, accessing the contents of a lower shelf involves taking a number of upper shelves out and removing the required shelf. Once the required piece of tackle has been removed, the shelves must then be replaced. This is a difficult task in a small boat. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION it is an object of this invention to provide a container for articles to overcome some of the above disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful and commercial choice.

In one form, the invention resides in a container for housing articles comprising: at least one shelf for holding the articles, the shelf having a plurality of recesses; a body member for accommodating the shelf having a top plate and a bottom plate spaced apart by a wall, the shelves located between the top plate and the bottom plate; and an axle attached to the body member and extending through the shelf, wherein the shelf is pivotally mounted about the axle, and the axle positioned eccentrically through the shelf.

In another form, the invention resides in a tackle box having a plurality of pivot out shelves, the box comprising: a bottom wall, a top wall and a side wall having opposed side edges, the side wall being rigidly connected to the bottom wall and top wall to form a structural unit where the top wall and bottom wall are fixed relative to each other, an axle having one end attached to the top wall and another end attached to the bottom wall, a plurality of pivot out shelves which can individually pivot between a closed position where the shelves are substantially within the box confines, and an open position where the contents of the shelves can be accessed, each shelf being pivotally attached to the axle and being vertically arranged relative to each other, each said shelf having an outer wall, a portion of which abuts against a said side edge of the side wall when the shelf is in the closed position.

The container ( such as the tackle box ) may house various articles such as fishing tackle, sewing equipment, nuts, bolts, screws, nails, drill bits, games and game pieces or jewellery.

Preferably there are at least two shelves. The shelves may be of various suitable materials dependant on the use of the container. For example, water resistant materials such as fibreglass would be suitable if the container were to be used to housing fishing tackle.

The shelves may be of various suitable shapes. Each shelf may be of a different volume and shape. Preferably, each shelf is of the same shape and size when viewed in plan. Preferably the shelves are circular when viewed in plan.

Preferably the shelves are pivotally eccentrically mounted adjacent a periphery of each shelf. This may allow for better access to articles with less rotation of the shelves. A number of recesses may be located in each shelf to accommodate different articles.

The body member may allow the shelves to be pivoted without obstruction. The body member may comprise a top and a bottom plate spaced apart by a wall.

Preferably the top and bottom plates are of the same shape and size when viewed in plan. The top and bottom plates may be of the same shape and size as the shelves when viewed in plan. The shelves may be located within the body member between the top and bottom plates. The top plate may be have recesses to locate articles. A lid may be provided to enclose the top plate.

The wall may be shaped so that when the shelves are located within the body member, they abut against the wall. The wall may be attached to the plates adjacent the periphery of the plates. The wall may extend only partially around the periphery of the bottom and top plates.

The axle may be extend the length of the body member. The axle may be removable from the body member so that the shelves may be removed.

A number of catches may be located on the body member to lock the shelf to the body member for transportation purposes. A handle may also be provided on each of the shelves to assist in pivoting the shelves. A further handle may be located on the body member to allow the container to be easily carried. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container for housing fishing tackle according to one aspect of the invention;

Figure 2 is a further perspective view of a container for housing fishing tackle according to figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side view of a tackle box with a lid according to a variation of the invention; Figure 4 is a plan view of one of the pivot out shelves;

Figure 5 illustrates the tackle box and bucket assembly.

Figure 6 is a plan view of a further preferred embodiment.

Figure 7 is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 6.

BEST MODE A container 10 for housing fishing tackle is shown in Figures 1 and 2. The container 10 comprises a body member 11, three shelves 12, 13 and 14 and an axle 15.

The body member 11 comprises a top plate 16 and a bottom plate 17 which are spaced apart by a wall 18. The top plate 17 and bottom plate 18 are substantially circular and are the same size and shape when viewed in plan. The wall 18 is arcuate and extends partially around the periphery of each of the plates 16 and 17. The wall 18 extends approximately half the periphery of each of the plates 16 and 17. A number of recesses 19 are located in the top plate 17 for placement of fishing tackle.

The three shelves 12, 13 and 14 are circular when viewed in plan. The top two shelves 12 and 13 are of the same size and shape. The bottom shelf 14 has the same dimensions as the top two shelves 12 and 13 except it is greater in depth.

Similar to the top plate 16, a number of recess

19 are located in each shelf 12, 13 and 14. The recesses 19 vary in depth according to there use. The recesses 19 in the top plate 16 and the top two shelves 12 and 13 may hold articles including knives, hooks, swivels, sinkers, lures, traces, lines, pliers and cutters. It is envisaged that the bottom shelf 14 may hold larger articles such as fishing reels and drink cans.

An axle 15 extends between the top plate 16 and bottom plate 18 of the body member. Ends of the axle are located adjacent to where the edge of the wall 18 joins the top plate 17 and bottom plate 18. Two grub screws (not shown) are used to attach the axle 15 to the body member 11.

A hole (not shown) is provided in each of the shelves 12, 13 and 14 to allow the axle 15 to pass through the shelves 12, 13 and 14. This mounts the shelves 12, 13 and 14 for eccentric rotation about the axle 15. Thus, when the shelves 12, 13 and 14 are rotated access can be gained to the contents of the shelves 12, 13 and 14.

An edge of each of the shelves 12, 13 and 14 abuts against the wall 18 when the shelves 12, 13 and 14 are in the closed position. A number of catches 20 are located on the wall 18 to hold the shelves 12, 13 and 14 in the closed position for transportation. Part of the catch

20 on the shelves 12, 13 and 14 may be used as a handle to open the shelves. A cylindrical lid 21 is provided to cover the top plate 16 of the body member 11. A pivotal handle 22 is provided in the lid 21 to allow the container 10 to be easily carried. Figure 3 illustrates a tackle box 30 similar to that described above and illustrating the lid 31 which is fitted over top plate 32. The vertically arranged shelves 33-36 are illustrated in various degrees of pivoting angles with the lower shelves 35-36 being larger and thicker than the upper shelves 33-34 such that the lower shelves can hold the heavier articles such as lead sinkers, knives, bottles and the like.

Figure 4 illustrates a particular shelf 40. Shelf 40 has a peripheral rounded boss 41 integral with the remainder of the shelf and which has a vertical bore extending there through to allow the shelf 40 to pivot about the vertical axle (not shown) which passes through bore 42. Shelf 40 has a number of recesses 43 which can be of various sizes and configuration to house the required articles. Boss 41 is rounded and is particularly curved at its base areas 44. This allows shelf 40 to pivot about the axle to almost 1802 without the shelf striking side wall 45. The end wall 46 of side wall 45 is thickened or beaded and when shelf 40 is pivoted about 180°, this thickened portion extends within area 44. Figure 4 also shows the abutment 47 on shelf 40 which abuts against the upper edge 48 of side wall 45 to provide a good closing action for the shelves. A magnetic catch 49 can be provided to hold the shelves closed but still allowing the shelves to be pulled open without the requirement of manipulating hooks, latches and the like.

Figure 5 illustrates an assembly where a tackle box according to the invention 50 sits within an outer surround bucket 51. Tackle box 50 and bucket 51 are configured such that a vacuum seal does not form which allows the tackle box 50 to be easily placed into and removed from bucket 51. Bucket 51 has an upper rim 52 and the lid 53 of tackle 50 sits substantially flushed with rim 52 of bucket 51. A handle 54 is provided which pivotally attaches to lid 50 through pivot point 55.

The container 10 provides good stability when shelves 12, 13 and 14 are in both the open and closed positions. All recesses 19 of the container are easily accessible without interference or hindrance of the shelves 12, 13 and 14.

Figure 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the container in which a shelf is viewed in plan. The axle 61 is not located adjacent wall 64 as in the container of Figures 1 and 2 but instead is located opposite wall 64. In this arrangement both the axle 61 and the opposing wall 64 contribute to the stability of the container. The wall 64 has a vertical magnetic strip 65, 67 located along each side. Each shelf has magnetic strips 67 which, when the shelf is in the closed position, is attracted to the other strips. The magnetic force maintains the shelves in the closed position.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the container. The container is housed within a circular bucket. The use of a bucket is often desirable when fishing to keep fish or bait. In this arrangement the container and bucket may easily be carried together. The upper portion of the container has a recess 71. The recess is sized to house a can or bottle of drink (illustrated in silhouette). The lid 69 is shaped such that a can or bottle can be inserted or removed from recess 71 when the container is closed or open.

The container provides good stability when the shelves are in both the open and closed positions. All the recesses of the container are easily accessible without interference or hindrance of the shelves.

It should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications may be made to the embodiment described without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A tackle box having a plurality of pivot out shelves, the box comprising: a bottom wall, a top wall and a side wall having opposed side edges, the side wall being rigidly connected to the bottom wall and top wall to form a structural unit where the top wall and bottom wall are fixed relative to each other, an axle having one end attached to the top wall and another end attached to the bottom wall, a plurality of pivot out shelves which can individually pivot between a closed position where the shelves are substantially within the box confines, and an open position where the contents of the shelves can be accessed, each shelf being attached relative to the axle and being vertically arranged relative to each other, each said shelf having an outer wall, a portion of which abuts against a said side edge of the side wall when the shelf is in the closed position.

2. The tackle box of claim 1 wherein the axle is located adjacent a periphery of the shelf.

3. The tackle box of claim 1 wherein the shelves are pivotally attached to the axle.

4. The tackle box of claim 3 containing a lid which overlies the top wall.

5. The tackle box of claim 4 wherein lower said shelves are thicker than upper said shelves.

6. The tackle box of claim 5, containing a folding handle attached to the lid.

7. The tackle box of claim 6 in combination with a bucket into which the tackle box is removably fitted, the lid of the box being substantially flush with the rim of the bucket.

8. The tackle box of claim 3, wherein each shelf has a peripheral abutment which abuts with an edge of the side wall.

9. The tackle box of claim 3, wherein each said shelf has a peripheral rounded boss containing a bore through which the axle passes, the boss being configured such that the shelf can pivot to about 180 degrees.

10. A tackle box having at least three pivot out shelves, the box comprising: a rounded bottom wall, a rounded top wall and a curved side wall having opposed side edges, the side wall being rigidly connected to the bottom wall and top wall to form a structural unit where the top wall and bottom wall are fixed relative to each other, a vertically extending fixed metal axle having one end attached to the top wall and another end attached to the bottom wall, a plurality of pivot out shelves each having a peripheral rounded boss containing a bore through which the axle passes, the boss being configured such that the shelf can pivot to about 180 degrees, each said shelf able to individually pivot between a closed position where the shelf is substantially within the box confines, and an open position where the contents of the shelf can be accessed, each shelf being vertically arranged relative to each other shelf, each said shelf having an outer wall, a portion of which abuts against a said side edge of the side wall when the shelf is in the closed position.