Container for releasable attachment to a holding device

Abstract

The invention relates to a container (1) for detachable attachment to a holding device (21, 23), comprising a base (2) with at least one connecting element (6) for connection with a counter-connecting element (9) of a first holding device (21), and a fixing unit (11) with a locking element (12) movable in a first functional position of the fixing unit (11) between a locking position and a release position for interaction with a counter-locking element (22) of the first holding device (21) for detachably locking the connecting element (6) connected to the counter-connecting element (9). Known containers of this type require an adapter for different connection systems.The task of providing a container suitable for attachment to holding devices with different connection systems is solved by making the fixing unit (11) arrangable in a second functional position in which a fastening element (14) of the fixing unit (11) can be connected to a counter fastening element (25) of a second holding device (23).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a container for detachable attachment to a holding device according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a coupling system according to claim 12.

[0002] In the field of transport or storage containers - also referred to as boxes or simply containers - numerous coupling or connecting systems are known for connecting the transport container to another transport container or for connecting it to a holding device, such as a transport trolley, a shelf wall or a (vehicle) floor.

[0003] The subject matter of DE 10 2015 118 024 A1 is a wall mount for stackable suitcases with a multifunctional fastening structure, wherein the suitcase is stackable on top of another suitcase and has a wall mount that can be attached to a wall and has at least one fastening structure for fastening the suitcase, wherein the at least one fastening structure is designed to effect the fastening of the suitcase to the wall mount by interacting with at least some of the coupling structures.

[0004] EP 3 288 719 B1 discloses an assembly comprising a utility module and a second utility module, as well as a coupling mechanism configured to easily releasably attach the first utility module to the second utility module, the coupling mechanism comprising a male coupler on one side of one of the first utility module and the second utility module, and a female coupler on one side of the other of the first utility module and the second utility module. Importantly, one or both of a leading edge of the protruding locking location and a corresponding leading edge of the recessed locking location are beveled for sliding positioning of the second utility module in a locking position over the first utility module.

[0005] US 2021 / 221561 A1 discloses a stackable storage system comprising stackable containers. The containers have locking plates on their underside, via which an upper container can be securely placed on a lower container. The spring-loaded locking plate can be moved into an unlocked position via an actuating element connected to it, in which position the containers can be separated from one another. In one embodiment, a locking pawl movably arranged on the actuating element is also disclosed. In a stacked arrangement of two containers, the actuating element and the locking plate of the upper container connected thereto can be held in the unlocked position by the locking pawl, so that the containers can subsequently be removed from one another without further actuation of the actuating element.

[0006] Further stackable containers are known from CN 109 178 556 A and US 2022 / 379461 A1.

[0007] From the prior art according to EP 2 346 741 B1, for example, a storage arrangement with stackable containers is known, each of which has a connecting element on its underside in the four corners for engaging in a corresponding receptacle on the top of another container. The containers further comprise a transport lock movable perpendicular to the bottom of the container, which, when activated by a locking knob, can be inserted into a corresponding receptacle on the top of the other container to prevent mutual detachment of the containers, specifically to prevent the connecting elements inserted into the receptacles from becoming ejected.

[0008] The containers known from the prior art are intended for attachment to holding devices configured in this way, which have a mating connecting element that matches a connecting element of the container. Attachment to a holding device that does not have the corresponding mating connecting elements is usually undesirable, as this does not ensure proper coupling of the container and the holding device. If attachment of the container to a holding device with a different connection system is intended, this can be achieved, for example, by interposing an adapter that is compatible with both the container and the holding device. However, this requires an additional component, namely a suitable adapter.

[0009] The task is therefore to provide a container that is suitable for attachment to holding devices with different connection systems.

[0010] This object is achieved with a container according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and expedient further developments of the invention can be found in the subclaims.

[0011] The container according to the invention for detachable attachment to a holding device comprises a base on which at least one connecting element is arranged for connection to a corresponding mating connecting element of a first holding device. This holding device can be, for example, another container, a shelf wall, a vehicle floor, or another supporting device. The base of the container is part of a container body, which further comprises side walls that completely or at least partially surround this container base.The container further comprises a fixing unit with a locking element rigidly arranged thereon, which, in a first functional position of the fixing unit, is movable together with the fixing unit between a locking position for locking the at least one connecting element connected to the counter-connecting element and a release position in which a release of the at least one connecting element from the counter-connecting element is possible. The locking element can, for example, be a locking lug arranged or molded onto one side of the fixing unit. The fixing unit is arranged in particular in the region of the base of the container, wherein the locking element preferably protrudes from the plane of the base in the locking position.In the locking position, when the connecting elements are connected to the mating connecting elements of the holding device, the locking element interacts with a correspondingly designed mating locking element of this holding device, preventing the connecting element from becoming detached from the mating connecting element. This ensures secure attachment of the container to the holding device.

[0012] The locking element can, for example, be a locking lug or locking bar protruding from the floor level in the first functional position of the fixing unit, and the counter-locking element can be a correspondingly designed locking chamber for receiving the locking element. Preferably, the locking element is resiliently mounted in the locking position, so that when the at least one connecting element is connected to the counter-connecting element, it automatically locks into the counter-locking element.

[0013] In order to release the connection between the connecting elements and the counter-connecting elements and to be able to remove the container from the holding device, the locking element is moved from the locking position to the release position. This can be done, for example, by actuating a button or pressing an (actuating) surface of the fixing unit. The locking element is preferably moved relative to and substantially perpendicular to the base of the container. In the embodiment according to the invention with the locking element rigidly arranged on the fixing unit, the entire fixing unit is moved from the locking position to the release position when the actuating surface is actuated. If the container has two or more connecting elements that interact with corresponding counter-connecting elements, the one locking element preferably prevents all of the connecting elements from becoming detached from the counter-connecting elements.

[0014] According to the invention, the fixing unit is rotatable into a second functional position different from the described first functional position for locking the connecting element connected to the counter-connecting element. In this second functional position, a fastening element of the fixing unit is accessible from the outside in such a way that it enables a detachable connection to a corresponding counter-fastening element of a further, second holding device. Preferably, the connecting elements and the fastening element, or the counter-connecting elements and the counter-fastening element, differ from one another.This makes it possible for the container according to the invention to be attached, in the first functional position of the fixing unit, to a first holding device having a corresponding connecting and locking element, and, in the second functional position of the fixing unit, to a second holding device different from the first holding device and having a corresponding counter-fastening element. The inventive design of the fixing unit, which can be arranged in a first and second functional position, provides, in particular, a simple and compact design of the container.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment, the fastening element can be a hook or a fastening element with a substantially L-shaped profile that can be hooked into a corresponding receiving opening of the second holding device. In the second functional position, the fastening element preferably protrudes substantially perpendicularly from a plane of the base. In addition to advantages in the manufacture of a container with such a fastening element, this also allows for easy attachment of the container to the second holding device.

[0016] The functional position is changed by rotating the fixation unit about a rotation axis, in particular by rotating it about a rotation axis running parallel to the plane of the floor and / or through the fixation unit. In a further advantageous embodiment, the fastening element and the locking element are arranged on side surfaces of the fixation unit that are arranged substantially perpendicularly or opposite one another. Accordingly, the fixation unit is rotated to change the functional position, preferably by approximately 90° or approximately 180°. This embodiment enables, in particular, a simple, quick, and convenient change of the functional position of the fixation unit.

[0017] In another conceivable embodiment, it is also possible for the fixing unit to have a third functional position. For example, starting from the first functional position, the fixing unit can be rotated 90° into the second functional position and then rotated 90° further into the third functional position. Providing this third functional position can serve to arrange the fastening element in a first position, a second position offset by 90° therefrom, and a third position offset by 90° therefrom.On the one hand, this makes it possible to arrange a fastening element designed as a hook in different positions relative to the container base, so that it can be hooked into corresponding counter-fastening elements depending on the orientation of the holding devices and their counter-fastening elements in different positions of the fastening element and thus in different orientations of the container. For example, this makes it possible to hook the fastening element into counter-fastening elements of a vertical wall as well as to hook it onto a counter-fastening element arranged on a ceiling, while maintaining the same orientation of the container or container base.Alternatively, it is also conceivable for the fixing unit to have an additional fastening element which is accessible from the outside in the third functional position and which, in this functional position, enables a connection to a corresponding counter-fastening element of a further holding device. In order to securely guide the fixing unit when the functional position changes, the fixing unit of the container according to the invention has a guide element, for example a guide nose formed on the fixing unit, which is guided in or on a correspondingly designed guide rail of the container during rotation of the fixing unit. The guide element is preferably guided in the guide rail throughout the entire movement from one functional position of the fixing unit to the other. Furthermore, one or more stop elements or stop sections can be provided on the container, on which oragainst which the guide element and / or a stop edge of the fixing unit rests in one or both functional positions. This limits the rotation of the functional unit to the extent that only rotation up to the first or second functional position is possible, and no rotation beyond that is possible. In particular, this allows the fixing unit to be easily moved into the respective functional position.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment of the container, the fixing unit can be locked in the first and / or second functional position. The locking can be achieved, for example, via the aforementioned guide element of the fixing unit, which rests in corresponding locking receptacles in the aforementioned functional positions. This locking provides advantageous handling by maintaining the desired functional position even during attachment to the holding device.

[0019] In a further preferred embodiment, the fixing unit arranged in the first functional position cannot be brought into or towards the second functional position when the at least one connecting element is connected to the counter-connecting element, and / or the fixing unit arranged in the second functional position cannot be brought into or towards the first functional position when the fastening element is connected to the counter-fastening element. This ensures secure attachment of the container to the respective holding device. For example, this prevents unintentional release of the locking element connected to the counter-locking element or unintentional movement of the container attached via the fastening element to a counter-fastening element of a holding device.

[0020] The at least one connecting element is preferably a connecting element that is rigidly or immovably arranged on the base, in particular a connecting element that is molded onto the base or formed integrally therewith. This results in a particularly robust design. The at least one connecting element is preferably designed for insertion, in particular for insertion, into a mating connecting element designed as an undercut or insertion chamber. In an advantageous embodiment, the at least one connecting element is brought into engagement with the mating connecting element by a substantially translational insertion movement. This results in a particularly quick, simple, and secure connection of the connecting element to the mating connecting element.For advantageous handling, in particular when releasing the container from the holding device, it is expedient if the fixing unit is arranged on a side wall of the container body opposite the insertion movement.

[0021] Preferably, the connecting element(s) is / are designed, in particular alone, for load-bearing connection with the counter-connecting element(s). The connecting and counter-connecting elements are specifically designed to absorb forces acting perpendicular to the ground. With the aforementioned design, no further components are required, in particular to absorb forces acting perpendicular to the ground, which can occur, for example, when lifting a container arranged as the uppermost container in a container stack. Preferably, no force is exerted on the locking element. Particularly preferably, the at least one connecting element and the counter-connecting element form a positive connection, thereby preventing movement of the connecting element in the counter-connecting element and thus movement of the container attached to the holding device.

[0022] In an advantageous embodiment, the container comprises a cover, for example a lid arranged opposite the base and, in particular, hinged to a side wall of the body. The cover preferably has at least one counter-connecting element and / or a counter-locking element. This makes it possible to form a stack of several such containers. Alternatively or additionally, the cover can also have at least one counter-fastening element, which allows the attachment of another container according to the invention via its fastening element.

[0023] The invention further relates to a coupling system comprising a container according to the invention described above and at least one holding device, which has the at least one counter-connecting element and a counter-locking element and / or the at least one counter-fastening element. The holding device can, in particular, be a container of the same or a different type, a shelf wall, a holding strip, or the like.

[0024] These and other features, as well as advantages and effects, of the container according to the invention will become apparent from the following exemplary embodiments described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a container according to the invention; Fig. 2 a representation of the container from Fig. 1 from underneath; Fig. 3 a side view of a section through the container Fig. 1 with an arrangement of the fixing unit in a first functional position; Fig. 4 a side view of a section of the container connected to a first holding device Fig. 1 ; Fig. 5 a representation of the container attached to a first holding device Fig. 1 ; Fig. 6 a representation of two containers attached to a first holding device; Fig. 7 a side view of a section through the container Fig. 1 with an arrangement of the fixing unit in a second functional position; Fig. 8 a first representation of a container attached to a second holding device according to Fig. 1 ; Fig. 9 a second representation of the container attached to a second holding device Fig. 8 ; Fig. 10 a sectional view through the container attached to the second holding device Fig. 8 .

[0025] In Fig. 1 und Fig. 2 An exemplary embodiment of a container 1 according to the invention is shown in various views. The container 1 has a body with a container base 2, side walls 3 surrounding this base 2 and a lid 4, which is attached to the rear side wall 3 of the container 1. Fig. 1 is hinged. The Fig. 1 The front side wall 3 shown, on which the container 1 has a handle 5 for handling the container 1, is also referred to below as the front wall 3.

[0026] As in Fig. 2 As shown, the container 1 has two connecting elements 6 on the lower, outward-facing side of the base 2, each of which is interrupted in the middle by a recess 8. The connecting elements 6 have, apart from this central recess 8, as in the sectional view from Fig. 3 can be seen, has a substantially L-shaped profile with engagement webs 7. As described below with reference to Fig. 4 bis Fig. 6 As described in more detail, these engagement webs 7 serve to engage in correspondingly designed insertion chambers 10 of counter-connecting elements 9 of a first holding device 21.

[0027] Furthermore, the container 1 has a particularly Fig. 2 bis Fig. 4 and Fig. 7 shown fixing unit 11, which is arranged on the area of ​​the base 2 facing the front side 3 or on the lower area of ​​the front side 3. The fixing unit 11 has a locking element 12 on a first side. Furthermore, the fixing unit 11 comprises a hook-shaped fastening element 14, which is arranged on a further side of the fixing unit 11, in particular one which is substantially perpendicular to the first side, or protrudes from this. The fixing unit 11 is rotatable about a rotation axis 15 from the Fig. 2 bis Fig. 4 shown first functional position, in which the locking element 12 protrudes above the floor 2, into the Fig. 7 indicated second functional position, in which the fastening element 14 protrudes above the base 2, is rotatably mounted. Specifically, when the functional position changes from the first to the second functional position or vice versa, the fixing unit 11 rotates by approximately 90° about the rotation axis 15 running parallel to the plane of the base 2 and the fixing unit 11. A rotation from the first functional position to the second functional position is initiated, for example, by pressing the actuating element 13 of the fixing unit 11 arranged in this position on the front side 3.

[0028] To ensure safe guidance of the fixing unit 11 when changing its functional position, it has a guide element 16 which is guided in a guide rail 17 of the container 1. In the Fig. 3 In the first functional position of the fixing unit 11 shown, the guide element 16 rests against a stop element 18 of the container 1. The stop element 18 prevents further rotation of the fixing unit 11 from Fig. 3 counterclockwise and thus beyond the first functional position. In the Fig. 7 In the second functional position shown, a stop section 20 of the fixing unit 11 rests against a stop edge 19 of the container 1, whereby a rotation of the fixing unit 11 beyond the second functional position, ie a further rotation in the clockwise direction according to the Fig. 7 shown representation, is prevented.

[0029] In the Fig. 3 In the first functional position of the fixing unit 11 shown, in which the fastening element 14 is positioned within the container 1 or the body of the container 1 and the locking element 12 protrudes beyond the base 12, the container 1 can, as in Fig. 4 is shown, are connected via the connecting elements 6 with counter-connecting elements 9 of a first holding device 21. Here, the container 1 is first placed on the holding device 21 in such a way that the connecting elements 6 are positioned at receiving areas in front of the counter-connecting elements 9. Subsequently, the container 1 is rotated relative to the first holding device 21 in the Fig. 4 shown position, so that the engagement webs 7 of the connecting elements 6 are inserted into insertion chambers 10 of the counter-connecting elements 9 or are received by them. By engaging the engagement webs 7 in the insertion chambers 10, a load-bearing connection of the connecting elements 6 with the counter-connecting elements 9 is provided, especially for absorbing forces acting perpendicular to the base 2. The locking element 12, which is pre-tensioned downwards by a spring (not shown) in the so-called locking position, engages when the container 1 is moved into the Fig. 4 shown position in a counter-locking element 22 of the first holding device 21, which is designed as an engagement groove. By means of the locking element 12 cooperating with the counter-locking element 22, a movement of the container 1 relative to the first holding device 21 according to Fig. 4 to the left, thus preventing the connecting elements 6 from detaching from the mating connecting elements 10. To detach the container 1 from the first holding device 21, the fixing unit 11 is actuated from the outside, in particular by pressing the lower region of the fixing unit 11 upwards.

[0030] Specifically, the fixing unit 11 is separated from the Fig. 4 shown locking position upwards in the direction of the lid 4 into a release position not shown, in which the locking element 12 is removed from the counter-locking element 22. In the release position of the fixing unit 11, a displacement of the container 1 relative to the first holding device 21 according to Fig. 4 to the left and thus a release from the first holding device 21 is possible. Due to the design of the container 1, wherein both the fixing unit 11 and the handle 5 are arranged on the front side 3, simple handling is provided both when connecting and when releasing the container 1 from the first holding device 21, in which the fixing unit 11 is actuated and the container 1 is moved simultaneously.

[0031] In Fig. 5 und Fig. 6 1 shows, by way of example, the attachment of one or two containers 1 according to the invention to a first holding device 21 designed as a box or case. The first holding device 21 designed as a box has, for this purpose, counter-connecting elements 9 and counter-locking elements 22 on its upper side designed as a lid. As also in Fig. 1 As shown, it is also possible for the container 1 according to the invention to have mating connecting elements 9 on its top side or on its lid 4 for connection to connecting elements 6 of another container 1 according to the invention. In the embodiment shown as an example, the container 1, as shown in Fig. 1 is shown, on the upper side of which there are no counter-locking elements 22 for interacting with the locking elements 12 of such a further container 1. However, the design of a container 1 according to the invention that also has corresponding counter-locking elements 22 is possible. With such a design, a secure connection of the individual containers 1 would be possible, for example, to form a container stack comprising several containers 1 connected to one another and fixed to one another.

[0032] In the Fig. 7 In the second functional position of the fixing unit 11 shown, in which the hook-shaped fastening element 14 protrudes above the bottom 2 of the container 1, the container 1 can be connected to a second holding device 23. Such a connection to a second holding device 23 is shown, for example, in Fig. 8 bis Fig. 10 shown, in which the container 1 is attached to a shelf wall 23. The shelf wall 23 has slot-shaped receptacles divided by webs approximately centrally on the outwardly directed attachment side 24, which serve as counter-fastening elements 25 for suspending the fastening element 14 of the container 1. As in Fig. 10 As shown, the connecting elements 6 of the container 1 rest on the contact side 24 of the second holding device 23 during the aforementioned attachment to the second holding device 23. This ensures a secure and stable attachment of the container 1 to the second holding device 23.

[0033] It should be noted that only one exemplary embodiment of a container according to the invention is shown here. In particular, further embodiments, for example containers with different dimensions or proportions, containers with additional handles or handles in different positions, other designs of the lid, as well as other designs of the connecting and counter-connecting elements, as well as the locking and counter-locking elements, are possible, provided they fall within the scope of the appended claims. Bezugszeichen

[0034] 1Container 2Bottom 3Side wall 4Lid 5Handle 6Connecting element 7Engagement bar 8Recess 9Counter-connecting element 10Insertion chamber 11Fixing unit 12Locking element 13Actuating bar 14Fastening element 15Rotation axis 16Guide element 17Guide rail 18Stop element 19Stop edge 20Stop section 21First holding device 22Counter-locking element 23Second holding device 24System side 25Counter-fastening element

Claims

1. Container (1) for detachable attachment to a holding device (21, 23), comprising a base (2) having at least one connection element (6) for connecting to a mating connection element (9) of a first holding device (21), and a fixing unit (11) having a locking element (12) rigidly arranged on the fixing unit (11) and, in a first functional position of the fixing unit (11), movable together with the fixing unit (11) between a locking position and a release position, which locking element is intended to cooperate with a mating locking element (22) of the first holding device (21) in order to detachably lock the connection element (6) connected to the mating connection element (9), the fixing unit (11) being rotatable into a second functional position in which a fastening element (14) of the fixing unit (11) is connectable to a mating fastening element (25) of a second holding device (23), characterized in that the fixing unit (11) comprises a guide element (16) which is guided in or on a guide rail (17) of the container (1) during the rotation of the fixing unit (11).

2. Container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening element (14) and the locking element (12) are arranged on side surfaces of the fixing unit (11) which are arranged substantially perpendicularly or opposite to one another.

3. Container (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing unit (11) can be latched in the first and / or second functional position.

4. Container (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing unit (11) arranged in the first functional position cannot be brought into the second functional position when the at least one connection element (6) is connected to the mating connection element (9) and / or the fixing unit (11) arranged in the second functional position cannot be brought into the first functional position when the fastening element (14) is connected to the mating fastening element (25).

5. Container (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one connection element (6) is arranged immovably on the base (2).

6. Container (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one connection element (6) can be brought into engagement with the mating connection element (9) by a substantially translatory insertion movement.

7. Container (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection element (6) or the connection elements (6) are designed for load-bearing connection to the mating connection element(s) (9), in particular for absorbing forces acting perpendicularly to the base (2).

8. Container (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fixing unit (11) is arranged on or in the region of the base (2).

9. Container (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the first functional position of the fixing unit (11), the locking element (12) is movable between the locking position and the release position relative to the base (2).

10. Container (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by a cover which comprises at least one mating connection element (9) and / or a mating locking element (22) and / or at least one mating fastening element (25).

11. Container (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the at least one connection element (6) can be brought into engagement with the at least one mating connection element (9) by a substantially translatory insertion movement, and the container (1) has a container body comprising the base (2) and side walls surrounding the base (2), and the fixing unit (11) is arranged on a side wall (3) of the container body opposite the insertion movement.

12. Coupling system comprising a container (1) according to any of the preceding claims and a holding device (21) having the at least one mating connection element (9) and the mating locking element (22) and / or a holding device (23) having the at least one mating fastening element (25).

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