Storage assembly

Abstract

A storage assembly includes a top wall and a bottom wall, a pair of end walls extending between and cooperating with the top and bottom walls to define an interior space, and at least one end surface configured to closely mate with at least one end surface of an adjacent storage assembly substantially similar to the storage assembly at a predefined angular orientation such that when the at least one end surface of the storage assembly mates with the at least one surface of the adjacent storage assembly, a longitudinal axis of the storage assembly is angularly offset from a longitudinal axis of the adjacent storage assembly. The storage assembly can also include a pair of interior walls and a handle protrusion extending into the top wall, and / or a frame assembly located between one of the end walls and one of the interior walls.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of storage devices, and more particularly to storage assemblies. Background Technology

[0002] Storage assemblies are configured to closely cooperate with adjacent storage assemblies in a linearly offset end-to-end relationship, enabling the storage assemblies to collaborate in providing a storage layout configured to subdivide a given floor workspace area. Summary of the Invention

[0003] A storage assembly as described herein may include: a top wall; a bottom wall; a pair of end walls extending between the top wall and the bottom wall and cooperating with the top wall and the bottom wall to define an interior space; and at least one end surface configured to closely engage with at least one end surface of a neighboring storage assembly that is substantially similar to the storage assembly in a predefined angular orientation, such that when the at least one end surface of the storage assembly engages with the at least one surface of the neighboring storage assembly, the longitudinal axis of the storage assembly is angularly offset from the longitudinal axis of the neighboring storage assembly.

[0004] The storage assembly may additionally or alternatively include: a top wall; a bottom wall spaced apart from the top wall; a pair of inner end walls extending between the top wall and the bottom wall and cooperating with the top wall and the bottom wall to define an internal storage space; a pair of outer end walls extending between the top wall and the bottom wall and spaced outwardly from the inner end walls; and a handle protrusion extending into the top wall at a location between one of the inner end walls and one of the outer end walls, and configured for being gripped by a user to move the storage assembly.

[0005] The storage assembly may alternatively or additionally include: a top wall; a bottom wall spaced apart from the top wall; a pair of inner end walls extending between the top wall and the bottom wall and cooperating with the top wall and the bottom wall to define an internal storage space; an outer wall extending between the top wall and the bottom wall and positioned outside the internal storage space, wherein one of the top wall, the inner wall, and the outer wall cooperate to define an open area; and a frame assembly located within the open area and extending between the top wall and the bottom wall.

[0006] The storage assemblies and associated storage arrangements shown and described herein are configured to advantageously subdivide a given floor workspace area to maximize its use without the use of individual partitions or wall assemblies, thereby providing a clean and aesthetically pleasing appearance when joined together, while minimizing the required floor area. The storage assemblies are highly mobile, thereby allowing each storage assembly and the overall storage arrangement to be easily moved and reconfigured, providing a highly reconfigurable storage arrangement that allows users to optimize the use of associated storage areas.

[0007] Those skilled in the art will further understand and appreciate these and other advantages of the storage assembly shown and described herein by referring to the following specification, claims and drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 A perspective view of a storage assembly comprising multiple shelves of internal storage space containing subdivided storage assemblies; Figure 2 A perspective view of a storage assembly containing multiple vertical partitions and drawers within an internal storage space that includes subdivided storage units; Figure 3 A top plan view of multiple storage assemblies that are closely aligned and cooperate with each other in an end-to-end non-linear orientation to provide a storage layout; Figure 4 A perspective view of a storage assembly with a curved planar configuration, wherein the internal storage space of the storage assembly is subdivided by vertical partitions and multiple shelves; Figure 5 A perspective view of a segmented assembly with an arcuate planar form, wherein the internal storage space of the storage assembly is subdivided by vertical partitions, storage shelves and multiple drawers; Figure 6 A top plan view of multiple storage assemblies that are closely aligned and cooperate with each other in an end-to-end non-linear orientation to provide a storage layout; Figure 7 For example Figure 1 The exploded perspective view of the storage assembly shown in the image; Figure 8 for Figure 7 A magnified view of region VIII; Figure 9A for Figure 7 A magnified view of region IX; Figure 9B An enlarged partial plan view of the outer wall and frame assembly; Figure 9C An enlarged partial cross-sectional front view of the outer wall and frame assembly; Figure 9D An enlarged partial perspective view of the exterior wall and frame assembly; Figure 10 For along Figure 1 A side front view of the cross-section of the handle of the storage assembly, taken by line XX; Figure 11 For along Figure 1 A side front view of the storage assembly taken by line XI-XI; and Figure 12 For along Figure 1 A side front view of the storage assembly taken from the cross section of line XII-XII. Detailed Implementation

[0009] For the purposes of this description, the terms “up,” “down,” “right,” “left,” “back,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and their derivatives should be used interchangeably with those of the present invention. Figure 1 and 3 The orientation is related to the invention. However, it should be understood that various alternative orientations may be assumed in the invention, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It should also be understood that the specific apparatus and processes illustrated in the drawings and described in the following description are merely exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept as defined in the appended claims. Therefore, the specific dimensions and other characteristics associated with the embodiments disclosed herein should not be considered limiting unless expressly stated otherwise in the claims.

[0010] Reference numeral 10 generally indicates that various configurations are possible ( Figure 1 , 2 Storage assemblies provided by (4) and (5), each configured with a linear offset or non-linear end-to-end relationship ( Figure 3 and 6 It works closely with adjacent storage assemblies, so that multiple storage assemblies 10 cooperate to provide a storage arrangement 11 configured to subdivide a given floor workspace area.

[0011] In the illustrated example, storage assembly 10 may include a top wall 12, a bottom wall 14 vertically spaced below the top wall 12, a pair of inner sidewalls 16 extending vertically between the top wall 12 and the bottom wall 14, and a pair of outer sidewalls 18 positioned outwardly from the inner sidewalls 16 along the length of storage assembly 10. The top wall 12, bottom wall 14, and inner sidewalls 16 cooperate to define an internal storage space 20 that can be subdivided by various internal components to meet the requirements of a particular user, while the inner sidewalls 16 and outer sidewalls 18 cooperate to define an open space 21 therebetween. In the illustrated example, storage assembly 10 ( Figure 1 , 2 (4 and 5) may include: one or more horizontal shelves 22 extending the entire distance between the inner sidewalls 16. Figure 1 ); one or more vertical partitions 24 ( Figure 2 , 4And 5), which extends between the top wall 12 and the bottom wall 14 and is spaced between the inner side walls 16; horizontal shelf 26 ( Figure 4 and 5 ), which extends between one of the inner sidewalls 16 and the vertical partitions 24 and / or between a pair of vertical partitions 24; one or more drawers 28 ( Figure 2 and 5 It can move between the retracted position A of the door 28 housed in the interior space 20 and the extended position B of the drawer 28 extending from the interior storage space 20, and / or any combination thereof.

[0012] Storage assembly 10 may also include a rear wall 30 that can be secured to the top wall 12, bottom wall 14, and / or inner sidewall 16. Storage assembly 10 may also be constructed without the rear wall 30, thereby allowing access to the internal storage space 20 from both sides of storage assembly 10. One or more shelf support brackets 34 ( Figure 7 and 8 Shelves 22, 26 can be supported at various pre-selected vertical positions within the internal storage space 20. In the illustrated example, shelf support brackets 34 are configured to engage one or more vertical rows of spaced-apart openings 36. Each support bracket 34 may include a vertical portion 35, a horizontal shelf support portion 37, and an outwardly positioning guide portion 39 configured to abut the edge of the shelf 22 and keep the shelf 22 centered among the cooperating support brackets 34. It should also be noted that the configuration of the support brackets 34 including the guide portion 39 allows the associated shelves 22, 26 to be supported within the internal storage space 20 at an angle or tilt orientation, wherein the support brackets 34 located in front of the storage assembly 10 are positioned lower than the support brackets located behind the storage assembly 10.

[0013] The top wall 12, bottom wall 14, inner side walls 16, shelves 22, 26, and rear wall 30 may comprise metal, wood, plastic, or various combinations thereof. In the illustrated example, the top wall 12, bottom wall 14, inner side walls 16, shelves 22, 26, and rear wall 30 comprise wood or laminated wood, while the outer side wall 18 comprises plastic and may include the layered configuration discussed below.

[0014] Top wall 12 ( Figure 1 and 7The top wall 12 and bottom wall 14 may include a central portion 38 vertically aligned with the internal storage space 20, and a pair of opposing end portions 40 extending outward from the central portion 38 beyond the inner sidewall 16. Similarly, the bottom wall 14 may include a central portion 42 vertically aligned with the internal storage space 20, and a pair of opposing end portions 44 extending outward from the central portion 42 beyond the inner sidewall 16. Alternatively, the top wall 12 and bottom wall 14 may each include a single end portion 40, 44. Each end portion 40 of the top wall 12 may include an end surface 46, and each end portion 44 of the bottom wall 14 may include an end surface 48. In the illustrated example, the end surface 46 of each end portion 40 of the top wall 12 includes a pair of generally straight edge portions 50, and the end surface 48 of each end portion 44 of the bottom wall 14 includes a pair of generally straight edge portions 52. Preferably, each straight edge portion 50, 52 extends from the centerline or longitudinal axis 54 of the storage assembly 10 at an angle α less than 90°. Figure 3 More preferably, each straight edge portion 50, 52 extends from the longitudinal axis 54 at an angle of less than or equal to about 60°.

[0015] As in Figure 7 As best illustrated, each outer wall 18 may include multiple layered components, such as internal structural reinforcement members 58, and an aesthetically pleasing external covering member 62. In the illustrated example, each outer wall 18 includes a pair of end surfaces 64, each end surface including a pair of generally straight portions 66, each of which extends from the longitudinal axis 54 of the storage assembly 10 at an angle similar to the angles discussed above relative to the straight edge portions 50, 52 of the top wall 12 and the bottom wall 14. The vertical outer edge 70 of the internal structural reinforcement member 58 ( Figure 7 and 9A The vertical outer edge 72 of the outer cover component 62 may respectively include curved or structurally reinforced edges 74, 76 to structurally reinforce the outer wall 18. (As in...) Figures 9B to 9D As best described below, the cover member 62 includes an upper cover portion 59 that covers the upper edge of the reinforcing member 58. The outer wall further includes a J-shaped clip member 75 fixed to the vertical outer edge 72 of the cover member 62, and a J-shaped clip member 77 fixed to the inner edge of the upper cover portion 59 of the cover member 62.

[0016] Each end portion 40 of the top wall 12 may also include a handle 92, which is configured for easy gripping by a user to facilitate movement of the storage assembly 10 within a given workspace area. In the illustrated example, the handle 92 is provided as a triangular protrusion 100 extending downward from the top surface 102 of the top wall 12 into the top wall 12. The protrusion 100 ( Figure 10The handle 92 can extend completely through the top wall 12 from the top surface 102 to the bottom surface 104. In the illustrated example, the handle 92 is vertically aligned with the corresponding open space 21. The storage assembly 10 may also include cover members 106 configured to cover the corresponding end portions 40 of the top wall 12. In the illustrated example, each cover member 106 is triangular to correspond to the triangular shape of the corresponding end portion 40 and includes an upwardly opening protrusion 108 co-aligned with the protrusion 100 of the corresponding end portion 40. The protrusion 108 is provided with a triangular cross-sectional configuration corresponding to the triangular shape of the protrusion 100 of the end portion 40 of the top wall 12; however, other cross-sectional configurations of the protrusion 100 and protrusion 108 may be utilized. Each cover member 106 may also include a bottom wall 110. It should be noted that the cover component 106 is sized such that it extends fully through the protrusion 100 of the end portion 40 and into the open space 21 between the inner sidewall 16 and the outer sidewall 18. The cover component 106 can be secured to the top wall 12 by a plurality of mechanical fasteners, such as screws or bolts 111, which are thread-operated and housed within corresponding bosses 112 integrally formed with the cover component 106. The cover 114 can be positioned within the protrusion 108 to aesthetically cover at least some of the screws 111 and is held within the protrusion 108 by friction engagement and / or adhesive.

[0017] The storage assembly 10 may also include a plurality of caster assemblies 120, which are fixed to and extend downward from the bottom wall 14 and positioned to movably support the storage assembly on the floor surface. In the illustrated example, each caster assembly 120 includes a caster mount 122 fixed to the lower side of the bottom wall 14 by a plurality of mechanical fasteners, such as screws 124, a socket insert 126 press-fitted into the corresponding caster mount 122, and a caster 128 pivotally received within the socket insert 126.

[0018] Storage assembly 10 may also include a pair of cover members 130 ( Figure 1 , 7 (and 11), the cover members are configured to cover the end surface 48 of the lower wall 14. In the illustrated example, each cover member 130 has an L-shaped cross-sectional configuration comprising a horizontal bottom portion 132 and a vertical top portion 136. Each cover member 130 may be secured to the bottom surface 121 of the lower wall 14 by, for example, a plurality of mechanical fasteners, such as screws 138 extending through the bottom portion 132 and into the lower wall 14.

[0019] Storage assembly 10 ( Figure 7The assembly may further include a pair of frame assemblies 140 positioned within the corresponding open area 21. Each frame assembly 140 may include an upper frame portion 142 positioned adjacent to the top wall 12, a lower frame portion 144 positioned adjacent to the bottom wall 14, and a plurality of vertical frame members 146 extending between the upper frame portion 142 and the lower frame portion 144, wherein the vertical frame members 146 are welded to or otherwise secured to the upper frame portion 142 and the lower frame portion 144. In the illustrated example, the upper frame portion 142 and the lower frame portion 144 are each triangular corresponding to the shape of the associated end portions 40, 44, and include a straight frame portion 147 and an angled frame portion 149 cooperating to define the opening 150. The frame assembly may include metal; however, other suitable materials may also be used. In the assembly, each frame assembly 140 is positioned between one of the end portions 40 of the top wall 12 and one of the end portions 44 of the bottom wall 14, and is secured to the top wall 12 and the bottom wall 14 by a plurality of mechanical fasteners, such as bolts 152 and nuts 154, wherein bolts 152 extend through the top wall 12 and the bottom wall 14 and the upper frame portion 142 and the lower frame portion 144. An outer side wall 18 may be placed on the corresponding frame assembly 140 such that the outer side wall 18 is also positioned between the end portions 40 of the top wall 12 and the end portions 44 of the bottom wall 14. It should be noted that the cover member 106 includes a flange 107 extending downward below the upper edge of the outer side wall 18, while the top portion 136 of the cover member 30 extends upward from the bottom edge of the outer side wall 18, such that when the cover member 106 and the cover member 130 are secured to the top wall 12 and the bottom wall 14, respectively, the outer side wall 18 is recessed between the flange 107 of the cover member 106 and the top wall 12. Figure 10 The top portion 136 of the covering member 130 is located between the top and bottom walls 14. A J-shaped clip 75 extends over the outer edge 70 of the reinforcing member 58. The upper covering portion 59 covers the upper edge of the reinforcing member 58 and the angled frame portion 149 of the upper frame portion 142, or extends over said upper edge and said angled frame portion, and the J-shaped clip member 77 is received within the elongated opening 151 of the angled frame portion 149. The top wall 12 is then fixed such that it abuts the upper covering portion 59, thereby securing the covering member 62 vertically.

[0020] The frame assembly 140 can also be configured to support the caster assembly 120. Specifically, and as in... Figure 12 As best described, the caster mount 122 can be directly secured to the lower frame portion 144 of the frame assembly 140 via mechanical fasteners such as screws 161 and nuts 163.

[0021] As mentioned above, storage assembly 10 can be provided in various configurations. For example, storage assembly 10 can be provided as follows: Figures 1 to 3 The relatively straight configuration shown, as Figures 4 to 6 The curved configuration or other configurations shown are provided. In, as... Figures 1 to 3 In the configuration described herein, the front edge 160 and rear edge 162 of the top wall 12, and the front edge 164 and rear edge 166 of the bottom wall 14 ( Figure 7 The front edge 168 and rear edge 170 of the shelf 22 are each generally straight along their length, while the rear wall 30 is generally flat. (As shown in...) Figures 4 to 6 In the configuration described herein, the front edges 160 and rear edges 162 of the top wall 12, the front edges 164 and rear edges 166 of the bottom wall 14, and the front edges 168 and rear edges 170 of each of the shelves 22 may be curved along their length, while the rear wall 30 may be provided in a curved planar shape.

[0022] As discussed above, multiple storage assemblies 10 can be positioned adjacent to each other and cooperate to form a storage arrangement 11. In the illustrated example, adjacent storage assemblies 10 can be positioned relative to each other such that the straight edge portion 50 of the top wall 12, the straight edge portion 52 of the bottom wall, the portion 66 of the outer side wall 18, the cover member 106, and / or the covering member 130 of the adjacent storage assembly are in a close-fitting manner, such as... Figure 3 and 6 As shown in the diagram. Preferably, adjacent storage assemblies 10 are configured to fit closely together, such that when the storage assemblies 10 are fitted closely together, the centerlines of the adjacent storage assemblies extend at an angle β greater than 90° to each other, and more preferably greater than or equal to about 120°. The storage arrangement 11 can utilize a straight configuration ( Figures 1 to 3 ), bending configuration ( Figures 4 to 6 Storage assemblies may be formed in other suitable configurations or combinations thereof. While the top wall 12, bottom wall 14, outer end wall 18, cover member 106, and cover member 130 are each described as comprising a pair of straight portions or surfaces, it should be noted that each of the elements may be configured to include one or more straight portions or surfaces configured such that adjacent storage assemblies 10 can fit closely together with each other in a non-linear end-to-end offset to divide a given floor workspace area as described above. Storage arrangement 11 may also include a plurality of storage assemblies 10 positioned close to each other in a linearly offset end-to-end daisy-chain type relationship, wherein at least one storage assembly 10 is positioned between two adjacent storage assemblies located at its opposite ends.

[0023] In the foregoing description, those skilled in the art will readily understand that modifications can be made to the described embodiments without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Unless expressly stated otherwise in these claims, such modifications are deemed to be included in the appended claims. While some claims may depend on one or more claims, each claim presented herein may alternatively be combined with any other one or more claims. The configuration of components, parts, elements, assemblies, subassemblies, and arrangements or storage assemblies of any particular embodiment may be combined with components, parts, elements, assemblies, subassemblies, and arrangements of other embodiments or configurations of storage assemblies disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A storage assembly comprising: A top wall having an end surface that projects outward relative to the inner wall and includes a pair of generally straight edge portions; A bottom wall having an end surface that projects outward relative to the inner wall and includes a pair of generally straight edge portions; A pair of end walls extending between the top wall and the bottom wall and cooperating with the top wall and the bottom wall to define an interior space, and Wherein, the substantially straight edge portions of the end surfaces of the top wall and the bottom wall are located at the first end of the storage assembly and configured to closely mate with the substantially straight edge portions of the end surfaces of the top wall and the bottom wall of a first pair of adjacent storage assemblies, respectively, under a predefined angular orientation, such that when at least one end surface of the storage assembly mates with at least one end surface of each of the first pair of adjacent storage assemblies, the longitudinal axis of the storage assembly is angularly offset from the longitudinal axis of each of the first pair of adjacent storage assemblies, the first pair of adjacent storage assemblies being configured to be substantially similar to the storage assembly, and The centerline extends longitudinally between the opposite ends of the top wall, and at least one of the generally straight edge portions of the end surface extends from the centerline at an angle of less than or equal to about 60° at the point where the generally straight edge intersects the centerline. The portion of the top wall and the portion of the bottom wall that project outward relative to the inner wall, the inner wall, and one of the pair of end walls cooperate to define an open area, and the storage assembly includes a frame assembly located within the open area and extending between the top wall and the bottom wall, wherein the frame assembly supports the top wall from the bottom wall and the corresponding end wall used to define the open area.

2. The storage assembly of claim 1, wherein the top wall comprises a longitudinally extending front edge and a longitudinally extending rear edge, each of the front edge and the rear edge extending from the at least one end surface, and wherein the front edge or the rear edge is substantially straight along its length direction.

3. A storage arrangement comprising three or more of the storage assemblies according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one end surface of each of the three or more storage assemblies is in close contact with at least one end surface of two other storage assemblies of the three or more storage assemblies.

4. A storage arrangement comprising three of the storage assemblies according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when at least one end surface of each of the storage assemblies is in close contact with at least one end surface of the other two storage assemblies, a longitudinally extending centerline of each of the storage assemblies extends from the centerline of the other two storage assemblies at an angle of approximately 120°.

5. A storage assembly comprising: Top wall; The bottom wall, which is spaced apart from the top wall; A pair of internal end walls extending between the top wall and the bottom wall and cooperating with the top wall and the bottom wall to define an internal storage space, wherein, at both ends of the storage assembly, the top wall has a portion projecting outward relative to the internal end walls, and the bottom wall has a portion projecting outward relative to the internal end walls; A pair of outer end walls extending between the top wall and the bottom wall and spaced outwardly from the inner end wall; and A pair of handle protrusions, wherein one of the handle protrusions extends into the top wall and is located between one of the inner end walls and one of the outer end walls, and the other handle protrusion extends into the top wall and is located between another inner end wall and another outer end wall, and wherein each handle protrusion is configured for being gripped by a user to move the storage assembly on a floor surface, and... Wherein, at both ends of the storage assembly, the outwardly projecting portions of the top wall and the bottom wall relative to the inner end wall, the inner end wall and the outer end wall cooperate to define a pair of open regions, and wherein the storage assembly includes a pair of frame assemblies, the pair of frame assemblies being located in one of the open regions and extending between the top wall and the bottom wall, wherein the frame assemblies support the outer end wall and the top wall from the bottom wall.

6. The storage assembly of claim 5, wherein each of the handle protrusions includes an opening extending between the top and bottom surfaces of the top wall.

7. The storage assembly according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising: One or more wheels are coupled to the bottom wall and configured to support the storage assembly above the floor surface.

8. The storage assembly according to any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising: A cover component that covers at least a portion of the upper surface of the top wall and includes a cover handle protrusion that substantially overlaps with the handle protrusion.

9. The storage assembly according to any one of claims 5 to 8, further comprising: At least one end surface configured to closely engage with at least one end surface of a neighboring storage assembly that is substantially similar to the storage assembly in a predefined angular orientation, such that when the at least one end surface of the storage assembly engages with the at least one surface of the neighboring storage assembly, the longitudinal axis of the storage assembly is angularly offset from the longitudinal axis of the neighboring storage assembly.

10. A storage assembly comprising: Top wall; The bottom wall, which is spaced apart from the top wall; A pair of internal end walls extending between the top wall and the bottom wall and cooperating with the top wall and the bottom wall to define an internal storage space, wherein, at both ends of the storage assembly, the top wall has a portion projecting outward relative to the internal end walls, and the bottom wall has a portion projecting outward relative to the internal end walls; An outer wall extending between the top wall and the bottom wall and positioned outside the internal storage space, wherein one of the top wall, the bottom wall, the internal end wall, and the outer wall cooperate to define an open area; and A frame assembly, located within the open area and extending between one of the inner end walls and the outer wall, and between the top wall and the bottom wall, wherein the frame assembly supports the outer wall and the top wall from the bottom wall. The frame assembly described therein has a generally triangular cross-sectional configuration.

11. The storage assembly of claim 10, wherein the frame assembly comprises an upper frame portion positioned adjacent to the top wall, a lower frame portion positioned adjacent to the top wall, and one or more vertical frame members extending between the upper frame portion and the lower frame portion.

12. The storage assembly of claim 10 or 11, wherein the frame assembly comprises metal.

13. The storage assembly according to any one of claims 10 to 12, further comprising: A handle protrusion extends through the top wall at a location between one of the inner end walls and the outer wall and is configured for being gripped by a user to move the storage assembly, wherein the frame assembly is horizontally offset from the handle protrusion at the bottom surface of the top wall.

14. The storage assembly of claim 13, further comprising: A cover component that covers at least a portion of the upper surface of the top wall and includes a cover handle protrusion that substantially overlaps with the handle protrusion.

15. The storage assembly according to any one of claims 10 to 14, further comprising: At least one end surface configured to closely engage with at least one end surface of a neighboring storage assembly that is substantially similar to the storage assembly in a predefined angular orientation, such that when the at least one end surface of the storage assembly engages with the at least one surface of the neighboring storage assembly, the longitudinal axis of the storage assembly is angularly offset from the longitudinal axis of the neighboring storage assembly.

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