WO2004071906A2

WO2004071906A2 - Stackable carrying and storage device and methods for using same

Info

Publication number: WO2004071906A2
Application number: PCT/US2004/004489
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Sanders
Original assignee: Southern States Marketing, Inc
Priority date: 2003-02-12
Filing date: 2004-02-12
Publication date: 2004-08-26
Also published as: US20080041756A1; WO2004071906A3

Abstract

A storage device may be carried, provide a view of and ready access to contents, and stacked. The storage device includes a housing that accepts a drawer (34). A handle (24) may be attached to the housing. The top of the housing may include a ridge (40) parallel and relatively near the top's edges. The bottom may include an inner ridge (42) parallel and relatively nearer edges of the bottom than the disposal of the outer ridge on the edges of the top. The storage device may be stacked by cooperation of the inner ridge on the bottom of the storage device with an outer ridge on the top of the other. A stable stack may be maintained when another device is stacked on top of the storage device by cooperation of the outer ridge on the top of the storage device with an inner ridge on the bottom of the stacked device.

Description

STACKABLE CARRYING AND STORAGE DEVICE AND METHODS FOR USING SAME

FIELD OF THE INVENTIONS These inventions relate in general to the field of devices that may be used for storing items, that may be transported such as by carrying, and that may be stacked for space-saving, convenience and efficient organization.

BACKGROUND A paper sack or a plastic bag may be used easily to store items and even to transport the items. Yet, paper sacks, plastic bags, and similar containers have drawbacks as storage and/or transport devices. These containers typically do not offer much protection to their respective contents in storage or in transport. As a result, stacking or otherwise grouping such containers for space-savings or other reasons may not be possible due to risk of damage to the contents. In addition, paper sacks, plastic bags such as the ubiquitous grocery store bags, and similar containers generally are opaque, and hide the contents of the devices. In many cases, it is convenient to have a storage device that allows for display or viewing of the contents. A further drawback of paper sacks, plastic bags and similar containers is they are rather plain in form and are not necessarily pleasing to the eye. Containers having relatively rigid structures may be used in many circumstances to overcome the drawbacks of paper sacks, plastic bags, and similar containers. For example, a cardboard box may provide more protection to its contents than a plastic bag. In many cases, containers having relatively rigid structures may be stacked or otherwise grouped for space-savings or other reasons. Further, a container having a relatively rigid structure may be made of a transparent plastic to allow the contents to be visible.

Even though containers having relatively rigid structures may overcome some of the drawbacks of paper sacks, plastic bags, and similar containers, containers having relatively rigid structures also have drawbacks. It may be possible to stack a container having a relatively rigid structure on top of another such container, but as is easily demonstrated by reference to cardboard boxes, the stack typically is easily disturbed or undone by pushing or pulling on one or more of the stacked boxes. Moreover, a stack of such boxes may be unstable and tend to topple.

Another problem presented by the stacking or other grouping of containers with relatively rigid structures is that of access to the contents of the respective containers. For example, assume a cardboard box having a top fitting over a bottom is stacked on top of another such box. Access to the contents of the box on the bottom is available, but only if the top box is removed from the stack. Having to unstack one box to get at the contents of another box may not be a big problem in all situations, but having to unstack many boxes to get at desired contents generally is undesirable. Yet another problem of relatively rigid containers is their transport by users. It may take both hands of a user to carry a container of relatively rigid structure due to its size, configuration, shape, contents, or other reason. By having to use both hands to carry the container, the user cannot carry anything else in his or her hands, and may be limited in other ways. Some containers include one or more handles for making transport easier. Yet, features of a handle or its disposition with respect to a container may affect the functionality and/or appearance of the container. For example, a stack of containers with respectively protruding handles may not appear to be neat and organized or as aesthetically-pleasing as a stack without protruding handles. The stack of containers with respectively protruding handles may appear to be out-of-place as not resembling a conventional storage unit. Moreover, a protruding handle on one or more containers may cause instability in a stack of containers.

Accordingly, there is a need for a device that may be used for storing and transport of items. There is a need for such a device that may offer at least some protection to its contents in storage and/or transport. Also, there is a need for such a device that may be stacked or otherwise grouped with other devices for space-savings or other reasons. There is a need for such a device that may be stacked with other devices where the stack is relatively stable and not easily disturbed or undone. There is a need that such stacking occur in a way that allows the device or a stack of such devices to appear neat and organized and aesthetically pleasing. In addition, there is a need for such a device that allows for the viewing or display of the contents. Further, there is a need for such a device that provides ready access to the contents even when the device is stacked with other devices. There is yet a further need for such a device that may be easily transported such as by carrying the device by or in one hand SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONS

The inventions include a storage device that may be easily carried and may be stacked with similar devices. The storage device includes a drawer for easy access to the storage area. The storage device may be transparent or semi-transparent for ease in viewing the contents.

Advantageously, the storage device may be used for storing and transport of items. In the course of such storage or transport, the storage device offers at least some protection to its contents. Another advantage of the storage device is that it may be stacked or otherwise grouped with other devices for space-savings or other reasons. When the storage device is stacked, the stack is relatively stable and not easily disturbed or undone. An additional advantage of the storage device is that it may allow for the easy viewing or ready display of its contents. This advantage is achieved by the storage device or parts thereof being transparent or semi-transparent. Yet another advantage of the storage device is that it provides ready access to the contents even when the device is stacked with other devices. The storage device provides such access through the use of a drawer that may be pulled out partially or totally from the housing of the storage device. It is advantageous that the storage device may be easily transported such as by carrying the device by one hand by its handle.

An exemplary embodiment of the inventions includes a storage device having a housing and a drawer. Either or both the housing and the drawer may be transparent or semi-transparent to allow for easy viewing or display of the contents of the storage device. The housing includes a top that may be connected by columns to a bottom. The length of the columns defines the height of the space between the top and the bottom of the housing. At least two of the columns may be used to define an opening into the space between the top and the bottom of the housing.

In the exemplary embodiment, a drawer removably fits through the opening into the space between the top and the bottom of the housing. The storage area of the storage device is the interior of the drawer. Further, the drawer may include a mechanism such as a latch for selectively keeping the drawer in the space. The drawer also may include a stopper for preventing the drawer from leaving the housing through an opening other than the opening into the space defined by the two columns (i.e., the space through which the drawer entered).

For easy portability, the storage device may include a handle. The handle may be attached to the housing by being disposed between two of the columns connecting the top to the bottom. It is preferred the handle be disposed between two columns other than the at least two columns defining the opening into the space between the top and the bottom of the housing.

To aid in placing the storage device in a stable stack with other devices, the top of the housing of the storage device may include an outer ridge protruding from the top of the top of the housing. The outer ridge may be disposed parallel to and relatively near the edges of the top of the housing. In addition, the bottom of the housing may include an inner ridge protruding from the bottom of the housing. The inner ridge may follow parallel to and relatively near the edges of the bottom of the housing. It is preferred the inner ridge protruding from the bottom of the housing be disposed nearer the edges of the bottom than the disposal of the outerjάdge on the top of the housing with respect to the edges of the top of the housing, The storage device may be placed in a stable stack on top of another device by cooperation of the inner ridge protruding from the bottom of the housing of the storage device with an outer ridge protruding from the top of the another storage device. The outer ridge protruding from the top of the housing of the storage device may cooperate with the nner ridge protruding from the bottom of the other device by the outer ridge encompassing the inner ridge.

The storage device also may be placed in a stable stack when the storage device is placed underneath another storage device. The stack remains stable by cooperation of the outer πdge protruding from the top of the housing of the storage device with an inne r lge protruding from the bottom of the device placed on top of the storage device. The outer ridge protruding from the top of the housing of the storage device may cooperate with the inner ridge protruding from the bottom of the other device by the outer ridge encompassing the inner ridge.

Other features and advantages of the inventions may be more clearly understood and appreciated from a review of the following detailed description and by reference to the appended drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary storage device according to the inventions.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the exemplary storage device of Fig. 1, but with its drawer partially pulled open.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary drawer as may be used with the inventions.

Fig. 4 illustrates the front of the exemplary storage device of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 illustrates the back of the exemplary storage device of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 illustrates the carrying side of the exemplary storage device of

Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 illustrates the side opposite the carrying side of the exemplary storage device of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8A illustrates the bottom of the exemplary storage device of Fig. 1 with a partial cut-away view of the handle.

Fig. 8B illustrates the bottom of the exemplary storage device of Fig. 1.

Fig. 9A illustrates a stack of four storage devices according to the inventions. Fig. 9B is a perspective view of the bottom part of the housing of the exemplary storage device of Fig. 1.

Fig. 9C is a cross-section of part of the bottom part of the housing shown in Fig. 9B.

Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the top part, bottom part, and drawer of the exemplary storage device of Fig. 1.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of an exemplary storage device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The inventions relate to a storage device that may be easily carried with a handle and that may be stacked with similar devices to provide additional storage. In particular, the storage device includes a drawer for easy access to the storage area of the device. Further, the storage device may be made of transparent or semi-transparent materials for displaying and for viewing the contents.

The inventions are described below with an initial overview of some of the features of the inventions followed by a description of particular details of the inventions. Exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings and other examples relating to the inventions are described.

Overview

Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary storage device 10. The storage device also may be referred to herein as a storage unit. In the exemplary embodiment, the storage device 10 is generally rectangular, but may be of another shape such as a cube, oval, circle, etc. The storage device 10 may be considered to be generally box-like with the interior of the storage device 10 comprising the storage area. The exemplary storage device 10 may be described in general as a housing 11 enclosing a drawer 34. To more particularly describe an exemplary storage device 10, reference is made to the six "sides" of the storage device 10. The sides may make up the housing and/or the housing 1 1 and drawer 34 of the storage device 10. As illustrated in Fig. 1 , the storage device 10 is generally rectangular and includes six sides or faces. In particular, the storage device 10 includes a top 12, a bottom 14 (not illustrated in Fig. 1), a front 16, a back 18 (not illustrated in Fig. 1), a carrying side 20, and a side opposite the carrying side 22 (not illustrated in Fig. 1). Each of the sides is substantially or approximately the shape of a rectangle, and in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the generally rectangular shape of one or more sides may be augmented by curves or by other features as explained below. Even though the illustrated exemplary embodiment includes generally rectangular sides augmented by curves, the inventions contemplate the use of other shapes and augmentations. Moreover, the references herein to the "sides" of the storage unit 10 are made for ease of description and understanding of the inventions. In the exemplary embodiment, the top 12 and the bottom 14 of the storage device 10 are substantially the same size and parallel to each other. Being substantially the shape of a rectangle, the top 12 and the bottom 14 each have two parallel short sides 28a, 28a' and two parallel long sides 30a, 30a'. As will become evident from the explanation below, the side of the storage device 10 including the short side 28a of the top 12 and the bottom 14 is referred to as the "front" of the storage device 10, and the side of the storage device 10 including the short side 28a' of the top 12 and the bottom 14 is referred to as the "back" of the storage device 10.

As noted, the top 12 and the bottom 14 are each substantially a rectangle in shape. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 , this substantially rectangular shape is augmented by curves on three sides of the top 12 and the bottom 14. Each of the short sides 28a, 28a' of the top 12 and the bottom 14 in the exemplary embodiment includes three curves outwardly bulging curves. Each of the long side 30a of the top 12 and the bottom 14 includes a curve bulging slightly and outwardly from the center of the top 12 or the bottom 14. The outwardly bulging curves in the top 12 and the bottom 14 may allow for some additional storage capacity in the storage device 10. The curves are included also for aesthetic appeal. Each of the long side 30a' of the top 12 and the bottom 14 is relatively flat. The flatness allows for the storage device 10 to be stood on this side (side opposite the carrying side 22) of the storage device 10. Two of the other sides of the six sided exemplary storage, device 10 are the front 16 and the back 18. The front 16 and the back 18 of the storage device 10 are substantially the same size and parallel to each other with respective features as explained in further detail below. The front 16 and the back 18 are generally rectangular with each having two parallel long sides and two parallel short sides. Each of the long sides of the front 16 generally matches in length and generally is perpendicular to, respectively, a short side 28a of the top 12 and of the back 14. Each of the long sides of the back 18 generally matches in length and generally is perpendicular to, respectively, a short side 28a of the top 12 and of the bottom 14. As noted above, the front 16 and the back 18 are each substantially a rectangle in shape. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 , this substantially rectangular shape is augmented by curves. Each of the long sides of the front 16 and the back 18 in the exemplary embodiment includes a configuration such as curves or other features that generally match or at least are disposed with respect to the three curves of the short sides 28a, 28a', respectively, of the top 12 and the bottom 14 of the storage unit 10.

The remaining two sides of the six sided exemplary storage device 10 are the carrying side 20 and the side opposite the carrying side 22 (also referred to as "side opposite"). The carrying side 20 and the side opposite 22 are substantially the same size and parallel to each other with respective features as explained in detail below. The carrying side 20 and the side opposite 22 are generally rectangular with each having two parallel long sides and two parallel short sides. Each of the long sides of the carrying side 20 generally matches in length and generally is perpendicular to, respectively, a long side 30a of the top 12 and of the back 14. Each of the long sides of the side opposite 22 generally matches in length and generally is perpendicular to, respectively, a long side 30a' of the top 12 and of the bottom 14. Each of the short sides of the carrying side 20 generally matches in length and generally is perpendicular to, respectively, a short side of the front 16 and the back 18. Each of the short sides of the side opposite 22 generally matches in length and generally is perpendicular to, respectively, a short side of the front 16 and the back 18.

As noted above, the carrying side 20 and the side opposite 22 are each substantially a rectangle in shape. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, the substantially rectangular shape of the carrying side 20 is augmented by a curve. Each of the long sides of the caπying side 20 in the exemplary embodiment includes a curve that generally matches the curve of the long side 30a of the top 12 and the bottom 14 of the storage device 10. In contrast, each of the long sides of the side opposite is relatively flat and generally matches the flatness of the long side 30a' of the top 12 and the bottom 14 of the storage device 10. The flatness of the long side 30a' of the top 12 and the bottom 14 allow the storage device 10 to be stood or placed on its side opposite 22.

From the description above and from the drawings, the carrying side 20 and the side opposite 22 of the exemplary storage device 10 are longer (or wider) than the front 16 and the back 18 of the storage device 10. In other words, the exemplary storage device 10 is shaped very generally like a briefcase or a suitcase. The inventions, however, contemplate other shapes and configurations and are not to be limited by the description and drawings herein.

Like a briefcase, the storage area of the storage device 10 is the interior area defined by the sides of the storage device including the top 12, the bottom 14, the front 16, the back 18, the carrying side 20, and the side opposite the carrying side 22. Unlike a briefcase, the storage area may be accessed from the front 16 of the storage device 10.

As explained in greater detail below, the storage area may be further defined as the interior of a drawer 34 which is illustrated in a closed position in Fig. 1 and in a partially open position in Fig. 2. Fig. 3 illustrates a drawer 34 such as may be used with the exemplary storage device 10. Generally, the drawer 34 is set within the housing 11 of the storage device 10. When set within the housing 11, elements of the drawer 34 cooperate with elements of the housing 11 to form sides or part of the sides of the storage device 10. For example, the front 50 of the drawer 34 constitutes the front 16 of the storage device 10 when the drawer 34 is closed. Fig. 4 illustrates the front 50 of the drawer 34 as the front 16 of the storage device 10. Similarly, the back 52 of the drawer 34 constitutes the back 18 of the storage device 10 when the drawer 34 is closed. Fig. 5 illustrates the back 52 of the drawer 34 as the back 18 of the storage device 10. Further, the sides 54, 56 of the drawer 34 constitute, respectively, at least part of the carrying side 20 and side opposite 22 of the storage device 10 when the drawer 34 is closed.

Using the front 16 (or its features) of the storage device 10, the drawer 34 may be pulled open for access to the storage area and may be pushed shut for enclosure of the storage area within the storage device 10 through use of a mechanism 26 on the front 16 of the storage device 10. The front of the drawer 34 may include a stop or stoppers for the drawer 34 such as the illustrated stoppers 38a-b that prevent the drawer from being pushed too far into the interior of the storage unit 10. Similarly, the drawer 34 may include a stop or stoppers or other mechanism that independently or in cooperation with a mechanism on another part of the storage device 10 operate to prevent the drawer 34 from being readily pulled out of the storage unit 10. Additional information regarding the mechanism 26 and the stoppers 38a-b is provided below.

Advantageously, the storage device 10 is portable. In fact, the storage device 10 is easily transportable. To make porting the storage device 10 easier and more convenient, the exemplary embodiment includes a handle 24 on the carrying side 18 of the storage device 10. The storage device 10 may be carried by the handle 24 in a manner similar to a briefcase being carried. Fig. 6 illustrates the carrying side 20 of the exemplary storage device 10 and depicts the handle 24 set between two columns 32a-b of the carrying side 20. For comparison, Fig. 7 illustrates the side opposite 22 of the exemplary storage device 10.

A person may use the handle 24 to carry the storage device 10. The carrying or porting of the storage device 10 by the handle 24 is facilitated by the fact that the handle 24 may be extended from the columns 32a-b for ease in using the handle 24. The extension of the handle 24 allows the user to more easily grasp the handle 24 because the extension causes more room to be available for placement of the user's hand in carrying the storage device 24. Fig. 8 A illustrates a view of the bottom 14 of the storage device 10 such as when the storage device 10 is set on its side opposite 22. Fig. 8 A in cut- away further illustrates the handle 24 of the device in an extended position. Fig. 8B illustrates the storage device 10 in the same position as that illustrated in Fig. 8A. In Fig. 8B, however, there is no cut-away of the drawing with respect to the handle 24. Rather, the handle 24 is shown in Fig. 8B in its retracted position in the storage device 10.

Another advantage of the storage device 10 is that it is stackable. The top 12 and the bottom 14 of the storage device 10 are generally flat to allow for such stacking. For example, the storage device 10 may be stacked on top of a chest of drawers or other flat surface by placing the bottom 14 of the storage device 10 on the flat surface.

Further, the storage device 10 may be stacked conveniently and in a stable relationship with other similar storage devices. The storage device 10 may be stacked on top of or placed below other such storage devices for easy stacking. Fig. 3 illustrates a stack 60 of exemplary storage devices 13a- d.

The stacking of the storage device 10 is facilitated through the use of two protruding ridges respectively disposed on the top 12 and the bottom 14 of the storage device 10. The protruding ridge 40 on the top 12 of a storage device 10 works with the protruding ridge on the bottom of another storage device to stabilize the stacking of two storage devices.

In the exemplary embodiment, the protruding ridge 40 on the top 12 of the storage device 10 follows parallel to and relatively near the edges of the generally rectangular shaped top 12 of the storage device 10. The protruding ridge 40 defines an interior area 41 on the top 12 of the storage device 10.

The exemplary protruding ridge 40 is generally rectangular in vertical cross section such that the top of the protruding ridge 40 is generally flat. The flatness of the top of the protruding ridge 40 allows for a stable stack of two storage units. When another storage device is placed on top of the storage device 10, the flat top of the protruding ridge 40 of the storage device 10 fits relatively flush against the outer surface of the bottom of the other storage device. The relatively flush fit provides for additional stability in the stacking of the storage devices by the contact between the flat top of the protruding ridge 40 of the top of the storage device and the flat outer surface of the bottom of the other storage device.

The width of the protruding ridge 40 is a design choice. Generally, the width of a protruding ridge 40 should be wide enough to allow for good stacking stability between two storage units, yet be narrow enough to provide for easy stacking. For example, the wider the protruding ridge, the more contact between the flat top of the protruding ridge 40 and any storage unit placed on top of it. More contact may improve stability of a stack. Yet, an overly wide protruding ridge 40 may make alignment difficult in the stacking of storage units. Further, an overly wide protruding ridge 40 may be a waste of material as sufficient stability may be provided by a less wide protruding ridge 40.

The depth or height of the protruding ridge 40 on the top 12 of the storage device 10 also may be a design choice, but the protruding ridge 40 should be generally the same depth or height as the protruding ridge disposed on the bottom 14 of the storage unit 10. Thus, when the protruding ridge 40 on the top 12 of a storage device 10 is matched or mated with a protruding ridge on the bottom of another storage device, the two storage devices are stacked with respect to each other with a space between the storage units that is only as deep or as high as the depth or height of one of the protruding ridges. Fig. 9A illustrates an exemplary stack 60 of four representative storage units 13a-d and the spaces 15a-c between the storage units 13a-d. Fig. 9B illustrates the bottom part 30 of the housing 11 for purposes of illustrating the position on the bottom part 40 of the cross section 60 shown in Fig. 9C.

Even though the depth or height of the protruding ridge 40 is a design choice, such choice may be also limited by considerations of stacking stability. A depth or height of a protruding ridge that is too high may result in a relatively high or big space between two stacked storage units. A big space between two stacked storage units may lead to instability so that the storage devices may be relatively easily knocked apart.

Fig 8 illustrates a perspective view of the bottom 14 of an exemplary storage unit 10. In the exemplary embodiment, the protruding ridge 42 on the bottom 14 of the storage device 10 follows parallel to and relatively near the edges of the generally rectangular shaped bottom 14 of the storage device 10. The protruding ridge 42 on the bottom 14, however, is disposed on the bottom 14 so that the protruding ridge 42 runs parallel to, but further from the edges of the bottom 14 of the storage device 10 than the protruding ridge 40 on the top 12 of the storage device 10 runs from the edges of the top 12. The protruding ridge 42 on the bottom 14 runs far enough from the edges of the bottom 14 of the storage device 10 so that the protruding ridge 42 on the bottom 14, when stacked on another storage device, may fit within the protruding ridge on the top of the other storage device. In the exemplary embodiment, the protruding ridge 42 on the bottom 14 of the storage device fits just within the protruding ridge 41 on the top of the other storage device.

In other words, the shapes of the respective two protruding ridges 40 and 42 match, but the protruding ridge 42 on the bottom 14 of a storage device 10 fits within the protruding ridge 40 on the top 12 of the storage device 10, if the protruding ridges 40 and 42 are lined up such as for stacking of the devices. In particular, the bottom protruding ridge 42 would fit within the area 41 defined by the top protruding ridge 40. When a storage device is stacked on a similar storage device, the bottom protruding ridge 42 of the top storage device fits into the top protruding ridge 40 of the bottom storage device in a relatively mated fit, which provides stability to the stack. As a result of the relatively mated fit of the protruding ridge on the bottom of a storage device within the protruding ridge on the top of another storage device, the protruding ridge on the bottom of a storage device is referred to herein as the inner ridge. The protruding ridge on the top of a storage device is referred to herein as the outer ridge. To repeat the relationship between two stacked storage devices, the outer ridge of the bottom device of two storage devices receives the inner ridge of the top device in a mating relationship when the two storage devices are stacked. In particular, the outer ridge on the top of a storage device, which is placed underneath a similar storage device, receives the inner ridge on the bottom of the other storage device in a mating or nesting relationship. Thus, the storage .devices are nested into alignment with each other and are set so as to provide stability for the stacking.

Fig. 9C shows a cross section of part of the storage unit 10 stacked with the part of another similar storage unit. The storage unit 10 is the "top" unit while the other unit is the "bottom" unit. The cross section 60 illustrates the bottom part 30 of the storage unit 10 in a mating relationship with the top part 62 of the other storage unit. The protruding ridge 42 (42', 42") (the inner ridge) of the bottom part 30 of the storage unit 10 fits within and approximately next to the protruding ridge 64', 64" of the top part 64 of the other unit. The relationship between the ridges when stacked results in an opening 66a, 66b between the storage units. Three examples of openings 15a-c between storage units are illustrated in Fig. 9A. In the exemplary embodiment, the outer ridge 40 is disposed on the top 12 of the storage unit 10, and the inner ridge 42 is disposed on the bottom 14 of the storage unit. This relative disposition of the ridges 40, 42 is functional because it allows for greater stability in the stacking of storage units. When two storage units are stacked, the bottom storage unit provides the outer ridge to the nesting between the units. The inner ridge of the top storage unit nests within the outer ridge of the bottom storage unit. Effectively, the top storage unit nests in the bottom storage unit through the matching of the ridges 40, 42. The placement of the outer ridge on the top of a storage unit, as opposed to placing the outer ridge on the bottom of the storage unit, is deliberate. When two storage devices are stacked, the top storage device nests within the bottom storage device because the im er ridge of the top storage device fits within the outer ridge of the bottom storage device. If a lateral force is applied to the top storage unit, it is more difficult to unseat from the bottom storage unit than if the dispositions of the ridges were reversed with respect to top and bottom. A lateral force on the top storage unit pushes its inner ridge against the outer ridge of the bottom storage unit. The top storage unit is not easily displaced because of this interaction between its inner ridge and the outer ridge of the bottom unit. A similar effect applies to the bottom unit.

Like the protruding ridge 40 on the top 12 of the storage unit 10, the protruding ridge 42 on the bottom 14 is generally rectangular in cross section. The width and height (or depth) of the protruding ridge 42 on the bottom 14 are selected with the same considerations as with the protruding ridge 40 on the top 12 of the storage unit 10. In fact, the features of the ridges 40, 42 also take each other into account. Particular Details Regarding an Exemplary Embodiment

In the exemplary embodiment, the storage device 10 includes a housing 11 and a drawer 34. Fig. 10 is an exploded view of the relationship between the housing 11 and the drawer 34 of the storage device 10. For example, the housing 11 of the storage device 10 may include a top part 28 and a bottom part 30. The drawer 34 of the storage device 10 may be disposed between the top part 28 and the bottom part 30.

The top part 28 of the housing 11 of the storage unit 10 includes a generally flat, rectangular surface that serves as the top 12 of the storage device 10. A protruding ridge 40 (also referred to as an outer ridge) is disposed on the outer surface of the top part 28 of the housing 11. The outer surface is the surface of the top part 28 that faces away from the drawer 34 and the bottom part 30 when the storage device 10 is assembled. Advantageously, the top part 28 may be made from plastic or similar material. The outer ridge 40 may be integrally formed with the top part 28. Alternatively, the outer ridge 40 may be a separate piece or pieces affixed to the top part 28.

The top part 28 of the housing 11 of the storage device 10 also may include pegs (or similar devices) 43a-g disposed on the inner surface of the top part 28. As is explained below, the pegs 43a-g mate with openings in the columns or legs of the bottom part 30 of the housing 11 to secure the top part 28 and the bottom part 30.

The pegs 43a-g of the top part 28 are set substantially perpendicular to the top part 28 and distend towards the drawer 34 from the top part 28. The pegs 43a-g may be integrally formed with the top part 28, or may be separate pieces affixed to the top part 28. In the exemplary embodiment, at least a peg is set into or near each corner of the generally rectangular top part 28.

The bottom part 30 of the housing 11 of the storage device 10 includes a generally flat, rectangular surface that serves as the bottom 14 of the storage device 10. A protruding ridge 42 (also referred to as an inner ridge) (illustrated in Fig. 8A) is disposed on the outer surface of the bottom part 30. The outer surface is the surface of the bottom part 30 that faces away from the drawer and the top part. Advantageously, the bottom part 30 may be made from plastic or similar material. The inner ridge may be integrally formed with the bottom part 30. Alternatively, the inner ridge may be a separate piece or pieces affixed to the bottom part 30.

In the exemplary embodiment, the bottom part 30 of the housing 11 of the storage device 10 also includes four columns 32a-d extending from the inner surface of the bottom part 30 of the housing 11 towards the top part 28. The four columns 32a-d are disposed respectively near each of the corners of the bottom part 30 of the housing 11. The columns 32a-d may be considered to act, at least in part, as spacers to space apart the top part 28 and the bottom part 30 of the housing 11, and to allow for the drawer 34 to be placed between the top part 28 and the bottom part 30. The columns 32a-d are disposed perpendicularly to the bottom part 30 and point towards the top part 28 when assembled.

The bottom part 30 and the columns 32a-32d may be integrally formed. For example, the bottom part 30 and the columns 32a-32d may be integrally formed from plastic or other material. Alternatively, the columns 32a-32d may be separate pieces affixed to the bottom part 30.

In this exemplary embodiment, each column is generally rectangular in shape. In addition, each column is hollow. Further, the base of each column defines an opening in the bottom part 30 of the storage unit 10 so that the hollow core of each column may be readily accessed from the bottom 14 of the storage unit 10. Fig. 8 A shows a perspective view of the bottom 14 of the storage unit 10. Near each corner of the bottom part 30 of the storage unit 10, openings 33a-d are illustrated to represent the opening defined by the base of its respective column 32b-d.

The housing 11 of the storage device 10 may be configured from a mating combination of the top part 28 and the bottom part 30. In the exemplary embodiment, the columns 32a-d are disposed on the inner surface of the bottom part 30 so that the columns 32a-d line up with the pegs 43a-g on the inner surface of the top part 28. The distal ends of the columns 32a-d may be configured to meet (in a mating fashion) the pegs 43a-g of the top part 28. For the mating between the pegs 43a-g and the columns 32a-d, as illustrated in Fig. 10, each column includes at its distal end a set of two openings. The openings receive their corresponding pegs in a mating relationship. As illustrated in Fig. 10, the pegs 43a, 43b of the top part 28 mate with the openings 44a, 44b of the column 32d on the bottom part 30. The pegs 43 c, 43 d of the top part 28 mate with the openings 44a, 44b of the column 32c of the bottom part 30. To further secure the attachment of the top part 28 and the bottom part

30, screws or other fastening means may be used to hold the mating relationship of a peg and an opening in the distal end of a column in place. For example, each peg in the top part 28 may include a hole disposed in parallel to the peg's position distending from the top part 28. In other words, a peg may be considered a cylinder. When a peg is fitted into an opening in the distal end of a column, a screw with a head larger than the opening in the column may be screwed into the peg's hole. Thus, the screw holds the peg and the column in a mating relationship. Advantageously, in the exemplary embodiment, the hollowness of the column allows for ready access to the peg in its mating relationship with the opening in the column. In other words, a screw may be easily inserted in an opening defined in the bottom part 30 of the storage device 10 by a column. Further, the screw may be moved through the hollow length of the column until the screw is fitted into the peg's hole and the screw is secured.

In addition to the columns 32a-d, the bottom part 30 of the housing 11 includes a handle 24 on the carrying side 20 of the storage device 10. In the exemplary embodiment, the handle 24 spans the two columns 32a, 32b on the carrying side 20. Each end of the handle 24 is attached to a respective column. Fig. 10 shows in cut-away an example of the attachment of one end 25 of the handle 24 to the column 32a. In particular, the end 25 of the handle 24 is fitted into an opening 27 in the column 32a. In this example, the columns are generally rectangular. Thus, the opening 27 in column 32a is set in the side of column 32a that faces column 32b.

To prevent the end 25 of the handle 24 from easily being pulled out of the column 32a, the end 25 may have wings or stoppers 29a, 29b that may be folded when the end 25 is inserted into the column's opening, but the wings or stoppers 29a, 29b spread after such insertion. The wings 29a, 29b, when spread, are sized such that they render the end 25 of the handle 24 wider than the opening 27 in the column 32a. Since the end 25 of the handle 24 is wider than the opening 27, the end 25 is not readily pulled out of the column 32a. The other end of the handle 25 may be attached to column 32b in a similar fashion.

Advantageously, the exemplary handle 24 is flexible for an easy and comfortable grip. In an embodiment, the handle 24 may simply span the columns 32a, 32b of the bottom part so that the handle 24 lies along a generally flat line.

In the exemplary embodiment, the handle 24 may lie flat between its supporting columns, or the handle 24 may be pulled away from the storage device into an arch shape for easy carrying. A handle 24 in the arch shape is illustrated in Fig. 8 A, which is a side view of the storage unit 10 showing the storage unit 10 as it may be carried with the handle 24 in an arched position. Fig. 8B illustrates the same side view of the storage unit 10, but with the handle 24 retracted. Advantageously, the handle 24 may be made from a flexible material and include some spring like properties so that after the handle 24 is released from being carried, the handle 24 may spring back to its generally flat shape between its supporting columns.

In the exemplary embodiment, to allow for an arch in the handle 24, the length of the handle 24 is longer than the distance between the columns 32a, 32b in which the handle 24 is set. The extra length of the handle 24 may be disposed in one or the other or both of the columns 32a, 32b to which the handle 24 is attached when the handle 24 is not in its arch shape.

For example, Fig. 10 illustrates part 31 of the handle 24 as being disposed inside the column 32a. Part 31 of the handle 24 is the part between the wings 29a, 29b that stop the end 25 of the handle 24 from being detached from column 32a, and the opening 27 in the side of the column 32a into which the end 25 of the handle 24 is inserted. When the handle 24 is grasped and pulled into an arc or arch shape, part of the extra length that allows the handle to bend and be pulled away from the storage unit includes the part 31 that emerges from the opening 27 so that the handle 24 may flex. The extra length allows for the handle 24 to be pulled out from its resting place in a relatively flat span between the columns 32a, 32b into an arching shape between the columns 32a, 32b. The arch in the handle 24 allows for ease in carrying the storage device 10. The arch allows a user to readily grip or envelope the handle 24 in his or her grasp.

When the top part 28 and the bottom part 30 are attached to each other to form the housing 11, the columns of the bottom part define the space between the top part and the bottom part. Into this space, the drawer 34 may be placed. Generally, the drawer 34 is nearly as large as the space to maximize storage and for neat assembly of the storage unit 10.

Fig. 2 illustrates a drawer 34 in a partially open position and further illustrates that the drawer 34 fits into the front 16 of the storage device 10 and slides into the space created between the top part 28 and the bottom part 30 of the housing 11. To facilitate the sliding in and out of the drawer 34, the bottom of the drawer 34 may include tracks that may cooperate with tracks in the inner surface of the bottom part 30 of the storage unit 10. The sets of tracks may work together to facilitate the sliding of the drawer 34 into the space between the top part 28 and the bottom part 30 of the storage unit 10. The sets of tracks may also work together to facilitate keeping the drawer 34 in place or in a proper relationship with respect to the storage unit 10, whether the drawer is closed or open, so as to allow for easy opening and closing of the drawer 34.

In the exemplary embodiment, the drawer 34 is prevented from sliding out of the back 18 of the storage unit 10 by cooperation between stoppers 38a-b disposed on the drawer 34 and blockers 39a, 39b provided by the housing 11 of the storage unit 10. Advantageously, the stoppers 38a-b on the drawer 34 are formed as a part of the shape of the drawer 34. In general, the drawer 34 is rectanglelike in shape and is big enough overall to fit just within the housing 11 of the storage unit 10. The drawer 34 includes a front 50 that generally forms the front 16 of the storage unit 10 when the drawer 34 is closed. The front 50 of the drawer 34 is wider than the back 52 of drawer 34. The back 52 of the drawer 34 generally forms most of the back 18 of the storage unit 10 when the drawer 34 is closed.

In the exemplary embodiment, the extra width of the front 50 of the drawer 34 is distributed evenly between each short side of the front 50 of the drawer 34. The short sides of the front 50 define the height of the drawer 34. The extra width of the front 50 is distributed so as to create overhangs of the front 50 on either short side. The overhangs are so-called because they carry the width of the front 50 past the places that would make the front 50 only just as wide as the back 52. The overhangs also may be referred to as the stoppers 38a, 38b.

When the drawer 34 is fitted into the space between the top part 28 and the bottom part 30 of the housing 11, the drawer 34 slides into the space until the overhangs or stoppers 38a, 38b bump into the bottom part 30 of the housing 11. The extra width of the front 50 of the drawer 34 prevents the front 50 of the drawer 34, and therefore the drawer 34, from sliding out the back 18 of the storage unit 10. As noted, the stoppers 38a, 38b on the front 50 of the drawer 34 cooperate with the blockers 39a, 39b of the housing 1 1. In the exemplary embodiment, the blockers 39a, 39b constitute respective sides of the columns 32a, 32d that are part of the bottom part 30 of the housing 11. The columns 32a, 32d are the columns of the bottom part 30 that are disposed nearest the front 16 of the storage unit 10. The side of each column 32a, 32d that constitutes a blocker is the side of the rectangular shaped column that faces the front 16 of the storage unit 10. Thus, the blockers 39a, 39b prevent the front 50 of the drawer 34 from sliding into the space created between the top part 28 and the bottom part 30 of the housing 11 by engaging or blocking the stoppers 38a, 38b on the front 50 of the drawer 34.

Advantageously, the stoppers 38a, 38b of the drawer 34 and the blockers of the housing 11 are configured so the drawer 34 fits into and is relatively securely disposed between the top part 28 and the bottom part 30 of the housing 1 1 of the storage unit 10. Yet, the drawer 34 may easily be pulled from the housing 11 to reveal the interior space for storage provided by the drawer 34. In the exemplary embodiment, the drawer 34 is relatively fixed into place in the housing 1 1 when a mechanism 26 between the front of the drawer 34 and the top part 28 of the housing 11 is engaged. Fig. 10 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the mechanism 26 to include a latch disposed on the front 50 of the drawer 34. When the drawer 34 is closed, a tab 45 extends from the latch 26 towards the top part 28 of the housing 1 1. A ridge (not illustrated) on the underside of the top part 28 of the housing 11 engages the tab 45 so as to prevent the drawer 34 from easily being pulled out of the housing.

To open the drawer 34, a user may depress a lever 46 on the mechanism 26. The result of depressing the lever 46 is that the tab 45 retracts into the mechanism 26. With the retraction of the tab 45, the ridge on the underside of the top part of the housing no longer blocks withdrawal of the drawer 34 from the housing 11. The drawer 34 may be easily pulled out of the housing 11. In the exemplary embodiment, the tab 45 is angled (like a door latch) so the drawer 34 can be easily slid into the housing 11 without operating the lever 46 to retract the tab 45. As the drawer 34 is slid into the housing, the force exerted on the tab 45 by the ridge on the underside of the top part of the housing forces the tab 45 to retract into the mechanism 26. Once past the ridge, the tab 45 in a spring like fashion is released into position in cooperation with the ridge so as to hold the drawer 34 in place in the housing 11 of the storage unit 10.

Advantageously, the storage device 10 has other features that add to its usefulness and convenience. For example, as illustrated in Fig. 11 , in the exemplary embodiment, the drawer 34 is an integral unit that is formed from a clear or almost clear plastic. Whether the drawer 34 of the storage 10 is pushed in or pulled out, the user may view the contents of the storage area. The ability to see into the storage area of the storage device is further facilitated by the design of the housing 11 of the storage unit 10. The use of columns to space apart the top part 28 of the housing 11 from the bottom part 30 allows for "windows" between the columns. The "windows" are the walls of the drawer 34. As noted, the drawer 34 may be made of plastic that is substantially transparent. A user may look through any of the windows between the columns into the storage area of the storage unit 10 and see the contents even when the drawer 34 is closed. To allow for even greater visibility of the contents of the storage device 10, the housing 11 also may be made of transparent or near-transparent material.

Yet another advantageous feature of the storage unit 11 is that it allows a user to pick up and carry the storage unit, and to conveniently set it down so that it is ready to be picked up and carried again. In particular, the side opposite the carrying side 22 of the storage unit 10 is generally flat. As a result of this flatness, the storage unit 10 may be set down on the side opposite the carrying side 22 and remain freestanding in that position. Conveniently, when the storage unit 10 is set down on the side opposite the carrying side 22, the carrying side 20 is on top of the storage unit 10. The user may easily grasp the handle 24 in the carrying side 20 and carry away the storage unit. Fig. 8 A illustrates the storage unit 10 as it may be placed with the carrying side 20 including the handle 24 on top.

From the foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the inventions and operations thereof, other embodiments will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the scope of the inventions is to be limited only by the claims below and equivalents thereof.

Claims

CLAIMSI claim:

1. A storage device, comprising: a housing having a top connected by columns to a bottom with the length of the columns defining the space between the top and the bottom; at least two of the columns defining an opening into the space between the top and the bottom of the housing; a drawer that removably fits through the opening into the space between the top and the bottom of the housing, the drawer including a mechanism for selectively keeping the drawer in the space, and the drawer including at least a stopper for preventing the drawer from leaving the housing through an opening other than the opening into the space defined by the two columns; a handle attached to the housing by being disposed between two of the columns connecting the top to the bottom other than the at least two columns defining the opening into the space between the top and the bottom of the housing; the top of the housing including an outer ridge protruding from the top of the top of the housing with the outer ridge disposed parallel to and relatively near the edges of the top of the housing; and the bottom of the housing including an inner ridge protruding from the bottom of the bottom of the housing with the inner ridge following parallel to and relatively nearer the edges of the bottom of the housing than the disposal of the outer ridge with respect to the edges of the top of the housing, whereby the storage device is placed in a stable stack on top of another storage device by cooperation of the inner ridge protruding from the bottom of the housing of the storage device with an outer ridge protruding from the top of the another storage device, and whereby the stable stack remains stable with the addition of a third storage device on top of the storage device by cooperation of the outer ridge protruding from the top of the housing of the storage device with an inner ridge protruding from the bottom of the third storage device.

2. The storage device of Claim 1, wherein the drawer comprises a transparent drawer.

3. The storage device of Claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a transparent housing.

4. The storage device of Claim 1, wherein the outer ridge protruding from the top of the housing cooperates with the inner ridge protruding from the bottom of the third storage device by encompassing the inner ridge protruding from the bottom of the third storage device.

5. The storage device of Claim 1, wherein the inner ridge protruding from the bottom of the housing of the storage device cooperates with the outer ridge protruding from the top of the other storage device by fitting within the outer ridge protruding from the top of the other storage device.

6. A storage device, comprising: a housing having a top connected to a bottom with a space between the top and the bottom; a drawer that fits removably into the space between the top and the bottom of the housing; a handle attached to the housing; the top of the housing including a first stability mechanism for stabilizing the storage device when another storage device is stacked on top of the housing; and the bottom of the housing including a second stability mechanism for stabilizing the storage device when the storage device is stacked on top of another storage device.

7. The storage device of Claim 6, wherein the drawer comprises a mechanism for selectively keeping the drawer in the space between the top and the bottom of the housing.

8. The storage device of Claim 6, wherein the drawer comprises a transparent drawer.

9. The storage device of Claim 6 wherein the first stability mechanism comprises a ridge protruding from the top of the housing; and wherein the second stability mechanism comprises a ridge protruding from the bottom of the housing.

10. The storage device of Claim 9, wherein the ridge protruding from the top of the housing follows parallel to and relatively near the edges of the top of the housing; and wherein the ridge protruding from the bottom of the housing follows parallel to and relatively near the edges of the bottom of the housing.

11. The storage device of Claim 9, wherein the ridge protruding from the top of the housing cooperates with a ridge protruding from the bottom of another storage device to stabilize the storage device.

12. The storage device of Claim 11, wherein the ridge protruding from the top of the housing cooperates with the ridge protruding from the bottom of another storage device by encompassing the ridge protruding from the bottom of another storage device.

13. The storage device of Claim 9, wherein the ridge protruding from the bottom of the housing cooperates with a ridge protruding from the top of another storage device to stabilize the storage device.

14. The storage device of Claim 13, wherein the ridge protruding from the bottom of the housing cooperates with the ridge protruding from the top of another storage device by fitting within the ridge protruding from the top of the another storage device.

15. A storage device, comprising: a drawer defining a storage space; a housing sized to encompass the drawer and to allow for selective removal of the drawer to provide access to the storage space; and a stability mechanism protruding from the bottom of the housing for cooperating with another storage device to provide stability when the storage device is placed on top of the another storage device.

16. The storage device of Claim 15, further comprising a stability mechanism protruding from the top of the housing for cooperating with another storage device to provide stability when the another storage device is placed on top of the storage device.

17. The storage device of Claim 15, further comprising a handle disposed on the housing.

18. The storage device of Claim 15, wherein the stability mechanism protruding from the bottom of the housing cooperates with the another storage device to provide stability when the storage device is placed on to of the another storage device by the stability mechanism protruding from the bottom of the housing nesting within a stability mechanism protruding from the top of the another storage device.

19. The storage device of Claim 16, wherein the stability mechanism protruding from the top of the housing cooperates with the another storage device to provide stability when the another storage device is placed on top of the storage device by the stability mechanism protruding from the top of the housing encompassing a stability mechanism protruding from the bottom of the another storage device.

20. The storage device of Claim 15, wherein the selective removal of the drawer comprises selective partial removal of the drawer.