Practical connection system

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a practical connection system. More specifically, this disclosure relates to a connection system associated with containers and utility units that can be connected to each other. According to one aspect of this disclosure, the practical connection system includes: a first utility unit and a second utility unit, the first utility unit being configured with at least two latch receivers formed as recesses on the top surface of the first utility unit, each latch receiver including a pivot latching member, the second utility unit being configured with at least two spaced-apart locking retaining members on the bottom portion of the second utility unit for detachably hinged to the pivot latching members of the first utility unit, the first utility unit being configured with a top support surface including a top surface, and the second utility unit being configured with a bottom support surface, whereby the pivot latching members are pivotable about a first axis between a locked position and a retracted position.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the application filed on June 6, 2019, with application number 201980033376.3 and invention title "Practical Connection System". Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to a utility connectivity system. More specifically, this disclosure relates to a connectivity system associated with containers and utility units that can be connected to each other. Background Technology

[0003] The following is a list of references considered relevant to the currently published topic as background information:

[0004] - WO2016142935;

[0005] - WO2017098513.

[0006] background

[0007] WO2016142935 discloses a container assembly comprising a container for storing and transporting articles, the container including at least one side wall and a bottom wall and a lid, the at least one side wall and the bottom wall together defining an interior space, the lid for closing an opening, the lid having a top surface, wherein the lid includes at least one latching member movable between at least a first position and a second position, and wherein the container includes a retaining member positioned on and parallel to the at least one side wall such that the latching member is configured to engage with a retaining member of another container to connect the container to at least one other container.

[0008] WO2017098513 discloses a container assembly including at least one first container and at least one second container, the at least one first container and the at least one second container being detachably attached to each other by a sliding locking mechanism; the sliding locking mechanism interacts between the at least one first container and the at least one second container, wherein the at least one first container is configured to have a first locking member at its top portion and the at least one second container is configured to have a second locking member at its bottom portion, such that when the second container is placed on top of the first container, the first locking member and the second locking member align and are configured to interact and lock each other. Summary of the Invention

[0009] According to this disclosure, a practical connection system is disclosed, which is configured to detachably attach a first practical unit to one or more second practical units.

[0010] As used herein in the specification and claims, the term "utility unit" refers to any utility article, whether fixed or movable, that is practical and can be detachably attached to other utility units. For example, a utility unit according to this disclosure can be any type of container, drawer compartment, work surface, moving system, mounting system, etc.

[0011] According to this disclosure, a practical connection system is provided, comprising: a first practical unit having a pair of pivoting latching members disposed at a top portion of the first practical unit, each pivoting latching member being arranged near an opposite end of the first practical unit; and a second practical unit having a pair of spaced-apart locking retaining members disposed at a bottom portion of the second practical unit, the locking retaining members being detachably articulated with the pivoting latching members of the first practical unit, the first practical unit having a top support surface and the second practical unit having a bottom support surface, whereby the pivoting latching members can be stopped by the locking retaining members when the bottom support surface rests on the top support surface.

[0012] The pivoting latch member may be located at one or both of the top surface portion of the first utility unit and the top wall portion of the opposite side wall of the first utility unit. The locking retaining member may be located at one or both of the bottom surface of the second utility unit and the bottom wall portion of the opposite side wall of the second utility unit.

[0013] Each second utility unit can constitute a first utility unit, which is configured for detachably hinged to another second utility unit. Each second utility unit has a pair of pivoting latching members at its top portion, each latching member disposed near an opposite end of the second utility unit. The other second utility unit has a pair of spaced-apart locking retaining members at its bottom portion for detachably hinged to the pivoting latching members of the second utility unit. The second utility unit has a top support surface, and the other second utility unit has a bottom support surface, whereby the pivoting latching members are stopped by the locking retaining members when the bottom support surface rests on the top support surface. Accordingly, components of the utility units can be detachably attached to each other on top of each other, and the components of the utility units include two or more containers detachably attached to each other. Accordingly, multiple utility units, such as containers, can be hingedly stacked on top of each other.

[0014] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the practical connection system is a moving assembly, wherein the first practical unit is a locomotion body, and a second practical unit is mounted and hinged to the locomotion body to facilitate wheeled movement of the moving assembly. An example of this embodiment discloses a container moving assembly including a locomotion body and at least one container detachably attached to the locomotion body, the container moving assembly being configured to move at least one container.

[0015] The mobile unit may include a mobile body having at least a first pair of wheels disposed on its bottom surface and a container coupling system disposed on its top portion, the container coupling system including at least a pair of latching members pivotally displaceable about a first axis between a locked position and a retracted position, in which each of the latching members may engage with a retaining member disposed on a corresponding bottom portion of the container, and in which the latching member is embedded within a latch acceptor of the mobile body in the retracted position.

[0016] According to one particular embodiment, in the locked position, the latching member protrudes above the top surface of the moving unit.

[0017] According to another specific embodiment, at the assembly position, the locking retaining member of the container is at least partially received within the latch acceptor of the moving body.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the movable body is a container including a top cover, wherein the top surface is the top cover surface of the container, the top cover being pivotally hinged to the container body, wherein the cover is displaceable between a closed position and an open position, and further wherein the bottom surface of the base of the container is the bottom surface of the movable body.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the movable body is a dolly cart, which includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and side walls, the bottom surface being configured with two pairs of wheels. According to one example, a latching member is pivotally hinged to the top surface of the cart. According to a second example, the latching member is pivotally hinged to the side wall of the cart.

[0020] The locking latch member can be pivotally hinged to the top surface of the moving body or the opposite side wall of the moving body, and the locking latch member is pivotal such that in the locked position, the locking latch member protrudes above the top surface of the moving body to engage with the locking retaining member on the corresponding side wall of the container, and in the retracted position, the latch member does not protrude substantially from the top surface of the moving body.

[0021] According to another configuration, the locking latch member can be pivotally hinged to the top surface of the moving body or the opposite side wall of the moving body, and the locking latch member is pivotal such that in the locked position and the retracted position, the locking latch member does not protrude above the top surface of the moving body.

[0022] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a mobile trolley kit is provided, comprising a trolley body and an assembly kit including at least a pair of wheels and at least a pair of modified mounting units, each mounting unit including a latching member pivotally fixed to a hinge member. The hinge member can be configured to attach to the trolley body in a position such that the latching member is pivotally displaceable between a locked position and a retracted position, in which the latching member protrudes from a top surface of the trolley body and engages with a retaining member disposed on a corresponding sidewall of the container, and in the retracted position, the latching member does not protrude from the top surface of the trolley body.

[0023] According to another embodiment of this disclosure, a practical connection system is provided, wherein the first practical unit is a mounting platform including a bottom surface configured for hinged to a surface and a top support surface for detachably hinged to a second practical unit. The mounting platform is also configured with a pair of pivoting latching members for hinged to a locking retaining member of the second practical unit. The pivoting latching members may be arranged at the top support surface of the mounting platform or at the top portion of opposite sidewalls of the mounting platform.

[0024] Any one or more of the following features, designs, and configurations may be applied to the container moving unit according to this disclosure:

[0025] - The second utility unit can be any type of container, such as a toolbox;

[0026] - The first utility unit can be any type of container, such as a toolbox;

[0027] - The footprint of the second utility unit can be similar to, or larger than or smaller than, the footprint of the first utility unit.

[0028] - When attached to the first utility unit, the second utility unit may adopt the same orientation as the first utility unit, or the second utility unit may be rotated 180°, 90° or 270°;

[0029] - At least two latching members may be configured on the top surface of the moving body;

[0030] - At least one pair of latching members can be configured on the side wall of the moving body;

[0031] - At least one pair of latching members may be configured at the top surface of the moving body and at the side wall of the moving body;

[0032] - The mobile body can be configured with two or more pairs of latching members, wherein the latching members can cooperate with one or two other latching members respectively, thereby facilitating engagement with containers of different sizes and modular configurations;

[0033] - At least one pair of wheels can protrude from the side wall of the moving body;

[0034] - The wheels of the moving body may include at least one pair of rotating wheels;

[0035] - At least one pair of wheels may be arranged on an axis parallel to the first pivot axis of the latching member;

[0036] - The latching member can be configured to be parallel to the narrow sidewall of the moving body;

[0037] - The latching member can be configured inward from the side edge of the top surface of the moving body;

[0038] - The mobile body may be configured with handles for transporting and manipulating the mobile body;

[0039] - The handle can be moved between the retracted and stowed positions;

[0040] - In the retracted position, the latching member can be configured not to protrude from the top surface of the moving body or from the side wall of the moving body, respectively;

[0041] - In the absence of a container hinged to the moving body, the latching member can pivot to the locked position to act as carrying handles for transporting the moving unit.

[0042] - The latching member can be configured to be stopped by a corresponding locking retaining member of the container, wherein the locking retaining member is a lateral protrusion and is configured to have a hook-shaped portion for stopping the latching member, the locking retaining member being integrally formed on the corresponding sidewall or bottom surface of the container and protruding outward from the corresponding sidewall or bottom surface of the container;

[0043] - The latching member may be configured with a coating, which serves to increase the locking stop of the locking retaining member and to provide cushioning when the latching member is used as a handle to carry the moving unit;

[0044] - The pair of latching members can be conveniently moved to the locked position by pivoting them toward each other in opposite directions along the first axis, wherein one of the latching members of the pair pivots clockwise and the other of the latching members of the pair pivots counterclockwise;

[0045] - The latch acceptor may be a recess formed on the top surface of the moving body;

[0046] - The latch receiver may be a recess formed on the top surface of the moving body, the recess being defined between the four side walls and the bottom wall;

[0047] - The latch receiver may be a recess formed on the top surface of the moving body, the recess being defined by three walls and a bottom wall, and the recess opening toward the side wall of the moving body;

[0048] - The latch receiver may be a recess formed on the sidewall surface of the moving body;

[0049] - The latching member can be configured as an improved mounting unit on the moving body;

[0050] - An improved mounting unit may include a latching member pivotally fixed to a hinge member, the hinge member being configured to be attached to a position of a movable body, the position being configured such that the latching member is pivotally displaceable between a locked position and a retracted position, in which the latching member protrudes from the top surface of the movable body and can engage with a retaining member disposed on a corresponding sidewall of the container, and in the retracted position the latching member does not protrude from the top surface;

[0051] - The hinged member can be configured to snap-fit ​​with the moving body;

[0052] - The second utility unit can be a workbench unit that can be detachably attached to the first utility unit.

[0053] -- The workbench unit may include a workbench platform and a connecting unit, wherein the connecting unit is provided at its bottom portion with a pair of spaced-apart locking retaining members for detachably hinged to a pivot latching member of the first utility unit, and wherein the workbench platform may be integral with or attached to the connecting unit.

[0054] -- The worktable unit can be configured to have a smooth top surface, and all locking and retaining members protrude below the bottom surface of the worktable platform;

[0055] -- The workbench platform can be made of wood or plastic materials;

[0056] -- The workbench platform can be configured with piece working facilities, such as hinges for different tools (e.g., vises or power tools), processing equipment (sawing, cutting, drilling, grinding, etc.);

[0057] - The mounting platform can be configured to be fixed to any surface, such as a wall, desktop, vehicle cargo bed, etc.;

[0058] - The mounting platform may be configured with a locking mechanism, which is used to lock the second utility unit when it is hinged to the mounting platform;

[0059] The top surface of the first utility unit and the bottom surface of the second utility unit may be configured with matching positioning members, allowing the second utility unit to be placed on top of the first utility unit at a predetermined position. Accordingly, one of the top surface of the first utility unit and the bottom surface of the second utility unit may be configured with a positioning protrusion, and the other may be configured with a positioning recess, the positioning protrusion and the positioning recess being configured to register with each other. Consequently, when the second utility unit is stacked on top of the first utility unit, the second utility unit is in the predetermined position and is less likely to be misplaced or slip off automatically.

[0060] This application also discloses the following:

[0061] 1) A practical connection system comprising: a first practical unit and a second practical unit, the first practical unit having a pair of pivoting latching members disposed at a top portion thereof, each pivoting latching member being arranged near an opposite end of the first practical unit; the second practical unit having a pair of spaced-apart locking retaining members disposed at a bottom portion thereof, the locking retaining members being detachably hinged to the pivoting latching members of the first practical unit; the first practical unit having a top support surface and the second practical unit having a bottom support surface, wherein the pivoting latching members can be stopped by the locking retaining members when the bottom support surface is supported on the top support surface.

[0062] 2) The practical connection system according to 1), wherein the pivot latch member is arranged at any one or both of the top surface portion of the first practical unit and the top wall portion of the opposite side wall of the first practical unit, and the locking retaining member is arranged at any one or both of the bottom surface of the second practical unit and the bottom wall portion of the opposite side wall of the second practical unit.

[0063] 3) The practical connection system according to 1), wherein the first practical unit includes at least a pair of latching members, the latching members being pivotable about a first axis between a locked position and a retracted position, each of the latching members being able to engage with a retaining member disposed on a corresponding bottom portion of the second practical unit in the locked position, and the latching members being embedded in a latch receiver of the first practical unit in the retracted position.

[0064] 4) The practical connection system according to 3), wherein the pair of latching members are moved into the locked position by pivoting toward each other in opposite directions along the first axis, wherein one of the pair of latching members pivots clockwise and the other of the pair of latching members pivots counterclockwise.

[0065] 5) The practical connection system according to 3), wherein the latch acceptor is a recess formed on the sidewall surface of the first practical unit.

[0066] 6) The practical connection system according to 3), wherein the latch acceptor is a recess formed on the top surface of the first practical unit.

[0067] 7) The practical connection system according to 6), wherein the latch acceptor is a recess formed on the top surface of the first practical unit, the recess being defined between the four side walls and the bottom wall.

[0068] 8) The practical connection system according to 6) wherein the latch receiver is a recess formed on the top surface of the moving body, the recess being defined by three walls and a bottom wall, and the recess opening toward the side wall of the moving body.

[0069] 9) The practical connection system according to 1) includes a moving component, wherein the first practical unit is a moving body, and the second practical unit is mounted and hinged to the moving body to facilitate wheeled movement of the moving component.

[0070] 10) The practical connection system according to 9), wherein the moving component includes a moving body and at least one container that can be detachably attached to the moving body, the moving component being configured to move the at least one container.

[0071] 11) The practical connection system according to 9) includes a mobile trolley kit comprising a trolley body and an assembly kit, the assembly kit including at least a pair of wheels and at least a pair of improved mounting units, each improved mounting unit including a latching member pivotally fixed to a hinge member configured to attach to a position of the trolley body, the position being configured such that the latching member is pivotally displaceable between a locked position and a retracted position, in which the latching member protrudes from a top surface of the mobile body and is capable of engaging a retaining member disposed on a corresponding sidewall of the container, and in which the latching member does not protrude from the top surface in the retracted position.

[0072] 12) The practical connection system according to 9), wherein the mobile body is provided with at least a first pair of wheels on its bottom surface and with a container connection system on its top portion, the container connection system including at least a pair of latching members pivotally displaceable about a first axis between a locked position and a retracted position, wherein in the locked position each latching member is engaged with a retaining member disposed on a corresponding bottom portion of the container, and in the retracted position the latching member is embedded in a latch receiver of the mobile body.

[0073] 13) The practical connection system according to 12), wherein, in the locked position, the latching member protrudes above the top surface of the moving unit.

[0074] 14) The practical connection system according to 12), wherein, in the assembled position, the locking retaining member of the container is at least partially received within the latch acceptor of the moving body.

[0075] 15) The practical connection system according to 12), wherein the movable body is a container and the top surface is the top cover surface of the container, the top cover being pivotally hinged to the container body, wherein the cover is movable between a closed position and an open position, and further, wherein the bottom surface of the base of the container is the bottom surface of the movable body.

[0076] 16) The practical connection system according to 12), wherein the movable body is a trolley, the trolley including a top surface, a bottom surface and side walls, the bottom surface being provided with two pairs of wheels.

[0077] 17) The practical connection system according to 16) wherein the latching member is pivotally hinged at the top surface of the trolley, and / or wherein the latching member is pivotally hinged at the side wall of the trolley.

[0078] 18) The practical connection system according to 12) wherein the locking latch member is pivotally hinged to the top surface of the movable body or the opposite side wall of the movable body, and the locking latch member is pivotal such that, in the locked position, the locking latch member protrudes above the top surface of the movable body to engage with the locking retaining member on the corresponding side wall of the container, and in the retracted position, the latch member substantially does not protrude from the top surface of the movable body.

[0079] 19) The practical connection system according to 12) wherein the locking latch member is pivotally hinged to the top surface of the movable body or the opposite side wall of the movable body, and the locking latch member is pivotable such that in the locked position and the retracted position, the locking latch member does not protrude above the top surface of the movable body.

[0080] 20) The practical connection system according to 12), wherein the at least one pair of wheels is arranged on an axis parallel to the first axis of the latching member.

[0081] 21) The practical connection system according to 1), wherein the first practical unit is a mounting platform, the mounting platform including a bottom surface configured to be hinged to a surface and a top support surface for detachably hinged to a second practical unit, the mounting platform also being configured with a pair of pivoting latching members for hinged to a locking retaining member of the second practical unit.

[0082] 22) The practical connection system according to 21) wherein the pivot latch member can be arranged at the top support surface of the mounting platform or at the top portion of the opposite sidewall of the mounting platform.

[0083] 23) The practical connection system according to 1), wherein the latching member is configured parallel to the narrow sidewall of the first practical unit.

[0084] 24) The practical connection system according to 1), wherein the latching member is disposed inwardly from the side edge of the top surface of the first practical unit.

[0085] 25) The practical connection system according to 1), wherein, in the retracted position, the latching member is configured not to protrude from the top support surface of the first practical unit or from the side wall of the first practical unit.

[0086] 26) According to the practical connection system of 1), wherein when the top support surface is not occupied by the second practical unit, the latching member can pivot into the locked position to serve as a carrying handle for carrying the first practical unit.

[0087] 27) The practical connection system according to 1), wherein the latching member of the first practical unit is configured to be stopped by a corresponding locking retaining member of the second practical unit, wherein the locking retaining member is a lateral protrusion, the locking retaining member is configured with a hook-shaped portion for stopping the latching member, the locking retaining member being integrally formed on the corresponding sidewall or bottom surface of the second practical unit and protruding outward from the corresponding sidewall or bottom surface of the second practical unit.

[0088] 28) The practical connection system according to 1), wherein the latching member is configured as an improved mounting unit on the first practical unit.

[0089] 29) According to the practical connection system of 1), wherein the improved mounting unit includes a latching member pivotally fixed to a hinge member, the hinge member being configured to be attached to a position of a movable body, the position being configured such that the latching member is pivotally displaceable between a locked position and a retracted position, in which the latching member protrudes from the top surface of the movable body and is capable of engaging a retaining member disposed on a corresponding sidewall of the container, and in which the latching member does not protrude from the top surface in the retracted position.

[0090] 30) The practical connection system according to 1), wherein the second practical unit is a worktable unit that can be detachably attached to the first practical unit.

[0091] 31) The practical connection system according to 30), wherein the workbench unit includes a workbench platform and a connection unit, the connection unit having a pair of spaced-apart locking retaining members disposed at its bottom portion, the locking retaining members being detachably hinged to the pivot latching member of the first practical unit, and wherein the workbench platform is integral with or attached to the connection unit.

[0092] 32) According to the practical connection system of 1), the top surface of the first practical unit and the bottom surface of the second practical unit are provided with matching positioning members, so that the second practical unit can be placed on the first practical unit at a predetermined position. Brief description of the attached diagram

[0093] To better understand the subject matter disclosed herein and to illustrate how it can be implemented in practice, embodiments will now be described by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0094] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of articulated stacked containers mounted on a wheeled trolley according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0095] Figure 2A yes Figure 1 The upper right perspective view of the cart as seen in the image;

[0096] Figure 2B yes Figure 2A Front view of the cart;

[0097] Figure 2C It is along Figure 2A The upper left perspective section cut by line I–I in the middle;

[0098] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view of a trolley kit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0099] Figure 4 This is an example of a moving body used in a practical connection system according to this disclosure;

[0100] Figures 5A to 5C These are examples of practical connection systems, in which practical units are hinged above the moving body in different configurations;

[0101] Figure 6A Is Figure 5A A magnified view of the part marked A in the middle;

[0102] Figure 6B It is along Figure 6A The cross section of line II–II in the middle;

[0103] Figure 7A It is a perspective view of another moving object;

[0104] Figure 7B This is an example of a practical connection system, in which the practical unit is hinged at... Figure 7A On the moving body;

[0105] Figure 7C yes Figure 7A An enlarged view of the part marked B in the middle, showing the locking and retaining component in the locked position;

[0106] Figure 7D yes Figure 7A An enlarged view of the part marked C, showing the locking and retaining component in the unlocked position;

[0107] Figure 7E Is Figure 7B A magnified view of the part marked D;

[0108] Figure 7F It is along Figure 7A An enlarged cross section taken from line III–III in the middle;

[0109] Figure 7G It is along Figure 7D The cross-sectional view taken by line IV-IV shows the locking and retaining component in the locked position;

[0110] Figure 8A and Figure 8B Is it through Figure 7B The cross-sectional view of the part marked E shows the locking and retaining components in the unlocked and locked positions, respectively.

[0111] Figure 9A and Figure 9B They respectively showed according to Figures 7A-7G and Figures 8A-8B Examples of practical unit top and bottom perspective views;

[0112] Figure 10 It is a top perspective view of the container hinged to the mounting platform;

[0113] Figure 11A and Figure 11B They are Figure 10 The top and bottom perspective views of the installation platform are shown in the image.

[0114] Figure 12 It is along Figure 11A Longitudinal section of the centerline VV;

[0115] Figure 13 It is along Figure 10 Longitudinal section of the centerline VI–VI;

[0116] Figure 14A and Figure 14B These are, respectively, the top perspective view and the bottom perspective view of the workbench platform hinged to the container;

[0117] Figure 14C yes Figure 14A and Figure 14B A top-down perspective view of the workbench platform as seen in the image;

[0118] Figure 15 It is a top perspective view of a container hinged to a mounting platform and a workbench platform hinged to the container; and

[0119] Figure 16 yes Figure 15 The cross-sectional view of the components along line VII–VII as seen in the diagram. Detailed Implementation

[0120] First, pay attention to the attached image. Figure 1The illustration shows a utility system generally designated 10, comprising a trolley 12 on which a stack of three utility units 14 are hingedly mounted. The utility units 14 are three containers, such as tool containers or storage containers 16A, 16B, and 16C, each hinged to the container below it, with the lowermost container 16A hinged in turn to the top surface of the trolley 12, as will be discussed below. It should be understood that the utility units 14 can be utility articles as defined herein, and each has a different size and footprint, yet are configured for corresponding hinges above each other and above the trolley 12.

[0121] While the description and figures herein refer to practical units as containers, it should be understood that the scope of this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0122] Figures 2A to 2C The trolley 12 includes a mounting platform 20 with four casters 22 hinged to its bottom surface. A top support surface 26 has several utility unit positioning recesses 28 and 29. These recesses are positioned and shaped to accommodate second utility units mounted thereon (e.g., in conjunction with...). Figure 1 The corresponding protrusions on the bottom surface of the container 16A under discussion are registered.

[0123] The trolley 12 is also provided with a pair of pivoting latching members 30, each pivoting latching member being pivotally arranged within a niche 32 of a corresponding side wall 34 of the trolley 12, and configured for use with a second utility unit (e.g., container 16A, to be referenced). Figure 6A and Figure 6B (Discussed in more detail) The locking retaining member is hinged. The pivoting latch member 30 is configured to have a gripping portion 38, which is suitable for a person to grip comfortably during transport, thereby the latch member also constitutes a transport handle. The pivoting latch member 30 can be in a folded position ( Figure 2B and Figure 2C (left latching member) and locking position ( Figure 2B and Figure 2C It pivots between the right latch component and the left latch component.

[0124] It is now understood that the second practical unit (e.g.) Figure 1 The containers 16A to 16C shown (and as will be discussed below with reference to several figures) each have a pivot latch member 30 disposed at their respective side ends or on their top support surface, but the pivot latch member is arranged within a niche.

[0125] As can be further seen, the pivoting latch member 30 is pivotally secured within the niche 32 by a pair of connectors 40 snap-fitted within the niche 32, and each connector is configured with a notch 42 for at least partially receiving the pivoting latch member 30, thereby ensuring that in the folded position the latch member 30 does not substantially protrude from the top support surface 26 or from the side wall 34. Figure 3 As can be seen from the arrangement, the connector 40 with the pivot latch member 30 can be configured as a kit so that it is suitable for attachment to other utility units, thereby easily converting other utility units into component utility units of the utility connection system according to the present disclosure.

[0126] Now turn to the attached diagram. Figure 4 A first utility unit in the form of a rigid trolley-type wheeled container 46 is shown, comprising a rigid body 48 having a pair of movable wheels 50 at the base portion of the container, a telescopic handle 52 retractable from the body 48, and a pivotally fixed top cover 54. The cover 54 includes a support surface with shaped recesses 55 configured to receive and support a protrusion disposed on the bottom surface of a second utility unit (not shown) to be mounted thereon. The cover 54 also includes a pair of pivoting latching members 56 spaced apart near the side end portions of the cover 54 and disposed within recessed niches 58 such that, in the folded position, the latching members 56 do not substantially protrude from the top surface of the cover 54. The recessed niches 58 are configured to have openings facing corresponding nearby sidewalls, thereby ensuring easy access to the pivoting latching members 56 when the second utility unit is present above the first utility unit.

[0127] Figure 5A , Figure 5B and Figure 5C This illustrates the modularity of the connection system, where... Figure 5A In the system 60, the first utility unit 62 (and) Figure 4 The trolley-type wheeled container 46 is the same), and the second utility unit hinged to it is the container (with...). Figure 1 (The container 16B is the same as the first container 62), however, the second utility unit occupies less space than the first utility unit 62, and the longitudinal axes of the two containers are arranged parallel to each other and perpendicular to the axis of the wheel 50. Figure 5B In the middle, hinged to the first practical unit 68 (and Figure 5A The second practical unit (identical to the first practical unit 62) is an organizer box 70, and the third practical unit 72 is hinged to the second practical unit. Similar to... Figure 5A In the arrangement, the space occupied by the second practical unit 70 (and 72) is smaller than that occupied by the first practical unit 68. Figure 5C The arrangement reveals the first practical unit 78 (and) Figure 5B The first utility unit 68 is identical to the first utility unit 78, and two second utility units 80 and 82 (shown schematically) are connected side-by-side to the first utility unit 78 in a directional hinge arrangement. The axes of the two second utility units 80 and 82 traverse the longitudinal axis of the first utility unit 68 (i.e., parallel to the axis of the wheel 50). However, in conjunction with the above... Figures 5A to 5C The connection arrangement of the disclosed utility units is similar to that of the disclosure relating to the previous examples, and is now specifically referenced. Figure 6A and Figure 6B .

[0128] like Figure 5A What is seen, and better as Figure 6A and Figure 6B What is seen (is) Figure 5A (Close-up of detail A) Each second utility unit (e.g., container 64) is provided with a retaining member 94 at the bottom portion of its opposite sidewall 90. The retaining member 94 is in the form of a pair of rigid, upward-facing hook-like elements integrally formed on and projecting outward from the respective sidewall. The retaining member 94 may be in the form of a pair or more such hook-like elements (e.g., as in the illustrated example), or the retaining member 94 may be a continuous element (not shown). A pivoting latching member 56 is pivotally hinged to the cover 54 at the niche 58 by a bushing support 98, which includes a spring-biased plunger mechanism 100 configured to hold the latching member 56 in the closed position when not in use. It is also noted that the niche 58 includes a stop rib 59, thereby making it unlikely that the latching member 56 will spontaneously displace when arranged in the unlocked position (i.e., the latching member 56 remains substantially parallel to the base surface 61 of the niche 58 and does not protrude from it).

[0129] In use, the latching member 56 is held in the unlocked position (i.e., resting within the niche 58), and the second utility unit (i.e., container 64 in this example) is placed above the first utility unit (i.e., trolley 46). Once positioned, the latching members 56 pivot upward toward each other to engage and stop with the retaining member 94, thus the second utility unit is hinged to the first utility unit, and they can now move as a whole. Similarly, the third utility unit can now be hinged to the second utility unit (e.g., as shown in the image). Figure 1 or Figure 5B (Example). By pivoting the latch member 56 to its resting unlocked position ( Figure 4It is easy to separate the second utility unit from the first utility unit. It should be noted that when the latching members 56 are moved to the locked position, they are latched to a stop by the corresponding retaining members 94, and unlocking requires some force to overcome the stop protrusion at the tip of the retaining member 94.

[0130] Now we will focus further on the attached figures. Figures 7A to 9B This illustrates another example of a practical connection system according to this disclosure.

[0131] A first utility unit in the form of a rigid trolley-type wheeled container 100 includes a rigid body 102, a retractable telescopic handle 106 retractable from the body 102, and a pivotally fixed top cover 110. The rigid body 102 has a pair of movable wheels 104 arranged at the base portion of the container and rotatable about an axis 105. The cover 110 has a support surface 111 including a pair of pivoting latching members 114 spaced apart and arranged within a recessed niche 116, such that the main portion of a latching member 56 extends within the niche 116 (in the locked / unlocked position of the latching member), however only the latch protrudes from the support surface 111, as will be discussed. Each pivoting latching member 114 includes a pair of tongue-shaped locking latches 115 (see...). Figures 7C-7D The pivot latch member 114 is pivotally hinged to the cover 110 via an axle arranged parallel to the wheel axis 105.

[0132] like Figure 7A As can be seen, the right niche 116 is also configured to have an opening facing the corresponding nearby sidewall; however, two of the pivot latching members are in the second utility unit (120). Figure 7B It is also easily accessible when it exists above the first practical unit 100.

[0133] like Figure 7B , Figure 9A and Figure 9B As shown, the second utility unit, namely container 120, has a support portion 130 disposed at its base. This support portion 130 has a bottom surface 132 and an outer edge 134 (peripheral in this example). The support portion 130 is shaped and sized to at least partially nest within the boundary of a top nested portion defined by the support outer edge 136 of a container-like structure in a stacked position (not shown), such that the bottom surface 132 of the top container rests on the top surface 135 of the bottom container. The second utility unit 120 has at least two locking receivers 138 with lateral openings disposed on corresponding opposite sides of the support portion 130.

[0134] Returning to the pivoting latch member 114, the tongue-shaped locking latch 115 can be displaced through the latch channel 140, wherein the locking latch 115 can be displaced between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the locking latch 115 is inward and protrudes on the support surface 111. In the unlocked position, the locking latch 115 is retracted, i.e., no longer protruding on the support surface 111. In the unlocked position, the latch is protected and not exposed to undesirable impacts.

[0135] This arrangement facilitates the hinged connection of the second utility unit 120 to the first utility unit 100 by placing the second utility unit 120 on top of the first utility unit 100, such that the bottom surface 132 rests on the support surface 111, wherein the locking receiver 138 is aligned with the locking latch 115, thereby pivoting the latch member 114 to the locked position. Figure 7C , Figure 7E , Figure 7F and Figure 8B The locking latch 115 engages within the corresponding locking receiver 138 of the second utility unit 120, such that the two utility units are hingedly connected to each other.

[0136] At the unlock location ( Figures 8A to 8B The locking member 114 is pivotally displaced outward, wherein the locking latch 115 disengages from the corresponding locking receiver 138, and wherein the second container can be separated from the first container. It should be noted that the pivoting of the pivoting latch member 114 is restricted within the latch channel 140, such that when the latch member 114 is pivoted to the fully open position, the stop portion 117 of the locking latch 115 encounters the wall surface 144 of the bridge portion.

[0137] The disclosed arrangement facilitates the hinged connection of the second utility unit to the first utility unit, which has a smaller footprint than the latter.

[0138] Reference Figures 10 to 13 The illustration shows a first utility unit in the form of a mounting platform 160, which is configured to hinge with a second utility unit in the form of a container 164 (e.g., a toolbox or the like).

[0139] Mounting platform 160 is made of rigid material and includes a bottom surface 166, which is adapted to be mounted on any supporting surface, such as a truck bed, workstation, etc., and is bolted thereto through multiple openings 118. The top surface 170 of mounting platform 160 (see...) Figure 11A and Figure 12 ) Imitating the practical units disclosed above (e.g. Figures 2A-2CThe top surface of the trolley 12), or the top surface of the container mentioned above. The top surface 170 is configured to support the bottom surface portion of the second utility unit, and is also configured to have several positioning locations, such as recesses 171 for receiving and positioning the corresponding protrusions 173 of the second utility unit 164.

[0140] The mounting platform 160 is also equipped with a pair of pivoting latch members 172, each pivoting latch member 172 being pivotally hinged within a niche 174 on an opposite side of the platform 160. The pivoting latch members 172 are configured to hinge with a laterally extending locking retaining member 178 of the second utility unit 164. The pivoting latch members 172 are configured to have a gripping portion 180 suitable for comfortable gripping by a person during transport, thereby also constituting a transport handle. The pivoting latch members 172 are pivotable between an unlocked / folded position (the right latch member in these figures) and a locked position (the left latch member in the corresponding figures).

[0141] When the second utility unit 164 is placed and positioned on the mounting platform 160 for registration, the latching members 172 can pivot to their locked position to stop the locking retaining member 178 of the second utility unit.

[0142] Figures 14A to 16 A second utility unit is shown, which is a workbench platform 190 that can be mounted on a first utility unit. In this example, the first utility unit is a container 192 (although it could also be any other utility unit, such as the mounting platform 160 in the previous example, or other types of containers, etc.). The workbench platform 190 includes a flat top surface 194 and a flat bottom surface 195 (although these can be configured in various work / processing configurations with a common working surface). An interconnecting unit 196 is disposed on the bottom surface, constituting an interconnecting unit for hinged to the first utility unit, as will be explained. The interconnecting unit 196 can be integral with or attached to the workbench, thereby allowing the working surface to be flipped and attached to the interconnecting unit 196 in the event of wear on one surface, to use the opposite surface. It can also be seen that the interconnecting unit 196 has a smaller footprint than the working surface; however, other proportions are also possible.

[0143] The interconnecting unit 196, located below the working surface, has a laterally extending locking retaining member 200 on its opposite side, similar to the hook-shaped member 94. Figures 6A-6B ) or locking retaining member 178 ( Figure 10 , Figure 13 , Figure 14A and Figure 14B Once the workbench platform 190 is placed in the first utility unit (e.g., container 192) or the mounting platform 160 ( Figure 11AOn the pivot, the pivot latch members 172 can pivotally shift to their respective locked positions. Figure 14B ), used to hinge the workbench platform 190 to the first utility unit.

[0144] exist Figure 15 and Figure 16 In this configuration, the workbench platform 190 forms a second utility unit hinged to the container 192, which in turn forms a first utility unit relative to it. The container 192 is also hinged to the mounting platform 160, which forms a first utility unit relative to the container 192 (the container 192 being the corresponding second utility unit).

Claims

1. A utility connection system comprising: A first utility unit and a second utility unit, the first utility unit being configured with at least two latch receivers formed as recesses on the top surface of the first utility unit, each latch receiver including a pivot latching member, and the second utility unit being configured with at least two spaced-apart locking retaining members on the bottom portion of the second utility unit for detachably hinged to the pivot latching members of the first utility unit, respectively. The first utility unit is configured with a top support surface including the top surface, and the second utility unit is configured with a bottom support surface. Thus, the pivoting latch member can be stopped by the locking retaining member when the bottom support surface is supported on the top support surface. The pivoting latch members are pivotable about a first axis between a locked position and an unlocked retracted position. In the locked position, each pivoting latch member, supported on the top support surface by the bottom support surface, engages with one of the locking retaining members. In the unlocked retracted position, the pivoting latch members are embedded within the latch receiver and biased to the unlocked retracted position by a biasing mechanism defined within the latch receiver. The latch acceptor includes a stop rib that protrudes into the latch accepting space defined by the latch acceptor, such that the pivoting latch member is stopped substantially parallel to the bottom base of the latch acceptor in the unlocked retracted position and does not substantially protrude from the latch acceptor.

2. The utility connection system of claim 1, wherein, The biasing mechanism is a spring-biased plunger mechanism.

3. The utility connection system of claim 1, wherein, The pivoting latch members are moved into the locked position by pivoting toward each other in opposite directions along the first axis, wherein one pivoting latch member pivots clockwise and the other pivots counterclockwise.

4. The utility connection system of claim 1, wherein, The locking and retaining member is arranged at any one or both of the bottom surface of the second utility unit and the bottom wall portion of the opposite side wall of the second utility unit.

5. The utility connection system of claim 1, wherein, The top surface of the first utility unit and the bottom surface of the second utility unit are provided with matching positioning members, so that the second utility unit can be placed on the first utility unit at a predetermined position.

6. The utility connection system of claim 1, wherein, The second utility unit has a similar footprint to the first utility unit.

7. The practical connection system according to claim 1, wherein, The second utility unit has a smaller footprint than the first utility unit.

8. The practical connection system according to claim 1, wherein, When attached to the first utility unit, the second utility unit adopts the same orientation as the first utility unit, or adopts an orientation in which it is rotated relative to the first utility unit at an angle selected from the group consisting of 90°, 180° and 270°.

9. The practical connection system according to claim 1, wherein, The latch acceptor is spaced apart from the edge of the top surface.

10. The practical connection system according to claim 1, wherein, The latch acceptor is a recess defined between the four sidewalls and the bottom wall of the top surface.

11. The practical connection system of claim 1, comprising a movable component, wherein the first practical unit is a movable body, and thus mounting and hinged the second practical unit to the movable body facilitates wheeled movement of the movable component.

12. The practical connection system according to claim 11, wherein, The recess is defined at the top surface of the movable body, the recess is defined by three walls and a bottom wall, and the recess opens toward the side wall of the movable body.

13. The practical connection system according to claim 11, wherein, The moving component includes a moving body and at least one container that can be detachably attached to the moving body, the moving component being configured to move the at least one container.

14. The practical connection system according to claim 13, wherein, The moving object is a cart.

15. The practical connection system according to claim 1, wherein, The first utility unit is a mounting platform, which includes a bottom surface configured for hinged to a surface and a top support surface for detachably hinged to a second utility unit, wherein latch receivers are defined in the top support surface, and each latch receiver includes the pivot latch member.

16. The practical connection system according to claim 1, wherein, The locking retaining member is a lateral protrusion configured with a hook-shaped portion for stopping the pivot latching member, the locking retaining member being integrally formed on the corresponding sidewall or bottom surface of the second utility unit and protruding outward from the corresponding sidewall or bottom surface of the second utility unit.

17. The practical connection system according to claim 1, wherein, The second utility unit is a worktable unit that can be detachably attached to the first utility unit. The worktable unit includes a worktable platform with a bottom portion, the bottom portion of which includes the spaced-apart locking and retaining members.

18. The practical connection system according to claim 1, wherein, The second utility unit has a larger footprint than the first utility unit.

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