Bin organizer and locking mechanism therefor

Abstract

The present disclosure concerns a bin organizer that has a housing having an open front face and at least one row of bin receptacles, each bin receptacle configurable for snugly accommodating one or more storge bins, displaceable along a sliding path between a retracted position, and a withdrawn position; and a locking mechanism for locking one or more of the storge bins at the retracted position; wherein said locking mechanism comprises at least one locking rod displaceable between a locked position at which it interrupts the sliding path of the one or more of the storge bins, and an unlocked position at which the sliding path is uninterrupted.

Description

[0001] BIN ORGANIZER AND LOCKING MECHANISM THEREFOR

[0002] TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure concerns a bin organizer and a locking mechanism for closing and retaining the bins of said organizer at a closed position.

[0004] BACKGROUND ART

[0005] References considered to be relevant as background to the presently disclosed subject matter are listed below:

[0006] - US 10,406,673

[0007] - US 2003168952

[0008] Acknowledgement of the above references herein is not to be inferred as meaning that these are in any way relevant to the patentability of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0009] BACKGROUND

[0010] US 10,406,673 discloses an organizer containing a housing with a plurality of compartments, at least one bin disposed in a compartment and pivotally attached thereto. The organizer further includes a locking mechanism that selectively locks the bin in place when the bin is in its fully closed position. When more than one bins are present, the locking mechanism is also capable of locking a first bin in its fully closed position while simultaneously allowing a second bin to move from its open position to being locked in its fully closed position, without unlocking the first bin.

[0011] US 2003168952 discloses a tool box includes a casing with at least one open side for a plurality of boxes pivotally received therein. A link is pivotally connected to the boxes and located at a distance from the pivotal point of the boxes. An activation member is pivotally connected to one of the boxes and has a slot for receiving a boss extending from the link so that when pivoting the activation member, the link pivots the boxes to open. A spring is connected between the activation member and the casing so as to close all the boxes by pulling the activation member. GENERAL DESCRIPTION

[0012] A first aspect of the disclosure is directed to a bin organizer comprising a housing having an open front face, at least one row of bin receptacles, one or more storage bins, and a locking mechanism. Each bin receptacle in said at least one row of bin receptacles being configured for snugly accommodating one or more of said storge bins, the storage bins being displaceable along a sliding path between a retracted position and a withdrawn position. The locking mechanism is configured for locking one or more of the storge bins at the retracted position, and comprises one or more locking rods displaceable between a locking rod locked position at which the locking rod interrupts the sliding path of the one or more of the storge bins, and a locking rod unlocked position at which the sliding path is uninterrupted.

[0013] The arrangement is such that the storage bins can be selectively retained at the retracted position by the locking mechanism, to thereby prevent unintentional displacement of the bins into the withdrawn position.

[0014] According to one arrangement, the locking rods of the locking mechanism are horizontally disposed and attached to a manipulating bar. The manipulation bar is vertically slidable over a front plane of the housing of the bin organizer between a manipulating bar locked position and a manipulating bar unlocked position. The locking mechanism also comprises a manipulating bar arresting member for selectively arresting the manipulating bar at least at its locked position, whereby at the locked position of the manipulation bar, the one or more locking rods extend interruptingly across the sliding path of the one or more storge bins, and at the unlocked position of the manipulation bar said locking rods are positioned away from the sliding path at a non-interrupting location, such that the storage bins can be displaced into their withdrawn position.

[0015] At the locking rod locked position, the locking rods bear against a front portion of the one or more storage bins, and a rear portion of the storage bins can bear against a rear portion of the housing, whereby the storage bins are clamped at the retracted position at a motion-free position.

[0016] According to another particular arrangement, the locking mechanism comprises a manipulating bar centrally disposed at a front portion of the housing and slidably displaceable along a manipulating bar support beam of the housing, between a manipulating bar locked position and a manipulating bar unlocked position; said one or more locking rods being articulated to the manipulating bar and having their opposite ends slidably retained at a side wall support of a front frame portion of the housing; the one or more locking rods are disposed at a bottom portion of the bin receptacles and are simultaneously displaceable by the manipulating bar between the manipulating bar locked position and the manipulating bar unlocked position; and a manipulating bar arresting member for selectively arresting the manipulating bar at least at the locked position thereof.

[0017] According to some embodiments, the manipulating bar arresting member can be pivotally articulated to, and slidable with, the manipulating bar, and comprises a locking hook; said manipulating bar arresting member is displaceable between a manipulating bar arresting member locking position at which said locking hook is arrested by a locking recess at the manipulating bar support beam of the housing, wherein the manipulating bar is slidably arrested, and a manipulating bar arresting member unlocked position at which said locking hook is disengaged from the locking recess, wherein the manipulating bar is slidable.

[0018] Another aspect of the disclosure is directed to a bin organizer according to the present disclosure, wherein the housing is configured with a connectivity system for detachably attaching thereof to a utility module configured with a corresponding connectivity system. The utility module can be a bin organizer, a wall mount, a container, a hand truck, etc.

[0019] The connectivity system can be configured at any one or more faces of the housing of the bin organizer, namely a front face, a back face, a side face, a top face and a bottom face thereof.

[0020] The connectivity system can be configured at two side walls front faced of the housing and at a back wall face of the housing, wherein a connectivity system at the back wall face is connectable to a connectivity system at the front face of two side walls of a bin organizer.

[0021] According to an example of the disclosure, the connectivity system has one of at least one sliding locking slot and at least one locking tongue, located at the front face of two side walls or at the back wall of the housing one of at least one sliding locking slot and at least one locking tongue; and the other one of the front face of two side walls and the back wall is configured with the other one of said at least one sliding slot locking and said at least one locking tongue; the at least one sliding locking slot extending parallel to the side walls and defining a primary sliding path, the at least one sliding locking slot being configured with at least one arresting rib, and said at least one locking tongue is parallel to said side walls and is configured for sliding arresting with a respective locking slot.

[0022] According to a specific example of the disclosure, the connectivity system has at the front face of two side walls, at least one sliding locking slot extending parallel to the side wall and defining a primary sliding path. The at least one sliding locking slot is configured with at least one arresting rib; a back wall comprises at least one locking tongue at least at both respective side edges thereof, the at least one locking tongue being disposed parallel to said side walls and configured for sliding arresting with a respective locking slot.

[0023] The connectivity system can further comprise a locking arrangement for releasably locking the bin organizer to the utility module said bin organizer is attached to, the locking mechanism can be a locking latch disposed at an outside face of one or both of a top face and a bottom face of the bin organizer.

[0024] The locking latch is slidingly displaceable, normal to said primary sliding path, between a retracted position and a projecting position, wherein at the projecting position the locking latch is configured for engaging a latch arresting portion at an edge of a top face or a bottom face of the utility module.

[0025] Any one or more of the following features, designs and configurations can be associated with any one or more of the aspects of the present disclosure, individually or in various combinations thereof

[0026] • The locking rods can be simultaneously displaceable between the respective locking rod locked position and locking rod unlocked position;

[0027] • The manipulating bar arresting member can be normally biased into the manipulating bar arresting member locking position;

[0028] • The manipulating bar arresting member can comprise a biasing element integral therewith, said biasing element bearing against an inside surface of the manipulating bar;

[0029] • The manipulating bar arresting member is configurable with a finger-grip portion;

[0030] • The manipulating bar is configurable with one or more finger grips to facilitate sliding displacement of the manipulating bar; • The manipulating bar arresting member can comprise a padlock key eye, whereby a padlock is securable lockable to the padlock key eye to prevent unauthorized opening of the bin organizer;

[0031] • The arrangement is such that sliding displacement of the manipulating bar from the manipulating bar locked position to the manipulating bar unlocked position is facilitated by manipulating the manipulating bar arresting member into the manipulating bar arresting member unlocked position followed by sliding the manipulating bar;

[0032] • Sliding displacement of the manipulating bar from the manipulating bar unlocked position to the manipulating bar locked position can be facilitated without manipulating the manipulating bar arresting member into the manipulating bar arresting member unlocked position;

[0033] • A bottom wall of each of the storge bins can comprise a downwardly projecting bin hook engageable with a barrier disposed at a front portion of the bin organizer, to prevent accidental withdrawal of the storage bin from the respective bin receptacle;

[0034] • The barrier can be a ridge extending at a bottom wall of the bin receptacles;

[0035] • The barrier can be a locking rod disposed at a front bottom portion of the bin receptacle;

[0036] • A front portion of each storage bin can comprise a notch engageable with one of the one or more locking rods when at the locking rod locked position; whereby displacing the locking rod into the locking rod locked position is distinct;

[0037] • One or more of the bin receptacles can be configured with a partition ridge extending from one or both of a top wall and a bottom wall of the one or more bin receptacles, wherein when the bin receptacle accommodates a full-size storage bin said partition ridge projects into a sliding recess configured, respectively, at the bottom face or top face of the storage bin; and when the bin receptacle accommodates a two half-size storage bins said partition ridge extends between juxtaposed storage bins;

[0038] • At the retracted position edges of a top opening of the bins are snug against a bottom surface of a top wall of a respective bin receptacle; • The locking rods can be fixedly articulated to the manipulating bar and having a free end slidingly supported at a side wall portion of a front frame portion of the housing;

[0039] • The one or more locking rods can be uniform rods extending between respective side walls of the housing and wherein respective ends of the locking rods are slidingly supported by a front frame portion of the housing;

[0040] • Respective ends of two or more of said locking rods can be connected to one another by a connecting rod slidably received within a side wall portion of the front frame;

[0041] • The sliding path of the storage bins can be a flat sliding path, wherein the sliding bins remain level at the retracted position and at the withdrawn position;

[0042] • The sliding path of the storage bins can be a smooth curved sliding path, or a tilting sliding path, wherein at the withdrawn position a front portion of the storage bin extends lower than at the retracted position, and respectively wherein a rear portion of the storage bin extends higher than at the retracted position;

[0043] • One or more of the storage bins can comprise a dividing wall, dividing a space defined by the storage bin into sub spaces;

[0044] • The dividing wall can be removable;

[0045] • The bin organizer can comprise at least two rows of said bin receptacles;

[0046] • Each row of bin receptacles can comprise one or more bin receptacles;

[0047] • Each bin receptacle can accommodate one or more storage bins;

[0048] • Each of the storage bins can comprise a bin handle integrally molded with a front wall of the storage bin;

[0049] • The housing can be configured for maintaining the bin organizer at an upright position over a flat surface;

[0050] • The bins are interchangeable, wherein any bin can be received within any bin receptacle;

[0051] • Each of the bin receptacles can be configured with sliding ribs disposed at least at a bottom face of the bin receptacle, the sliding ribs extend along the sliding path for slidingly supporting a storage bin during displacement along the sliding path; • The storage bins can be configured with four side walls, wherein at the retracted / stowed position of the storage bin, a top edge of the side walls extend in close proximity with a bottom surface of the bin receptacle;

[0052] • At the retracted position a front portion of the storage bins does not proj ect beyond a front surface of the housing and does not interfere with connecting a utility module to the front of the bin organizer.

[0053] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0055] Fig. 1A is a front perspective view of a bin organizer according to an example of the disclosure, with the locking mechanism at a locked position;

[0056] Fig. IB is a rear perspective view of the bin organizer of Fig. 1 A;

[0057] Fig- 2 is the same as Fig. 1 A with several storage bins removed from the housing;

[0058] Fig- 3 is an enlargement of the portion marked 3 in Fig. 1 A;

[0059] Fig. 4A is a vertical section along line 4A- 4A in Fig. 1 A;

[0060] Fig. 4B is an enlargement of the portion marked 4B in Fig. 4A;

[0061] Fig. 5A is a vertical section along line 5A - 5A in Fig. 1 A;

[0062] Fig. 5B is an enlargement of the portion marked 5B in Fig. 5A;

[0063] Fig. 5C is an enlargement of the portion marked 5C in Fig. 5B, sectioned along line 5C - 5C;

[0064] Fig. 6A is an isolation of the locking mechanism of the bin organizer;

[0065] Fig. 6B is an enlargement of the portion marked 6B in Fig. 6A, seen from its back side;

[0066] Fig. 7A is a partial exploded view illustrating the hosing of the bin organizer and a locking mechanism retaining cover;

[0067] Fig. 7B is a front perspective view of only the housing of the bin organizer;

[0068] Fig. 8A is a front perspective view of the bin organizer, the locking mechanism at an unlocked position;

[0069] Fig. 8B is an enlargement of the portion marked 8B in Fig. 8A;

[0070] Fig. 9A is a vertical section along line 9A - 9A in Fig. 8A; Fig. 9B is an enlargement of the portion marked 9B in Fig. 9A;

[0071] Fig. 9C is a side elevation of Fig. 9A;

[0072] Fig. 10A illustrates the bin organizer at the unlocked position, with one storage bin at a withdrawn position;

[0073] Fig. 10B is planar side view, being an enlargement of the portion marked 10B in Fig. 10 A;

[0074] Fig. 11 illustrates the bin organizer with one storage bin removed;

[0075] Fig. 12 is a perspective exploded view of the bin organizer of Fig. 1A, excluding the storage bins;

[0076] Figs. 13A - 13C are consecutive steps of assembling the bin organizer of Fig. 1 A;

[0077] Fig. 14A is a perspective view of a bin organizer wherein the storage bins are horizontally displaceable / slidable;

[0078] Fig. 14B is a planar view sectioned along line 14B - 14B in Fig. 14A;

[0079] Fig. 15 is an enlarged portion of the portion marked 15 in Fig. 1A, being a front connectivity system of the bin organizer;

[0080] Fig. 16 is an enlarged portion of the section marked 16 in Fig. IB, being a back connectivity system of the bin organizer;

[0081] Fig. 17A illustrates a bin organizer attached to a like bin organizer;

[0082] Fig. 17B is a section along line 17B - 17B in Fig. 17A;

[0083] Fig. 17C is an enlargement of the portion marked 17C in Fig. 17B;

[0084] Fig. 17D is a section along line 17B - 17B in Fig. 17A;

[0085] Fig. 17E is an enlargement of the portion marked 17E in Fig. 17D;

[0086] Fig. 17F is a section along line 17F - 17F in Fig. 17A;

[0087] Fig. 17G is an enlargement of the portion marked 17G in Fig. 17F;

[0088] Fig. 18A illustrates a bin organizer mounted on a wall mounting plate:

[0089] Fig. 18B is a section along line 18B - 18B in Fig. 18 A;

[0090] Fig. 18C is an enlargement of the portion marked 18C in Fig. 18B;

[0091] Fig. 18D is a section along line 18D - 18D in Fig. 18 A;

[0092] Fig. 18E is an enlargement of the portion marked 18E in Fig. 18D;

[0093] Fig. 18F is a section along line 18F - 18F in Fig. 18 A;

[0094] Fig. 18G is an enlargement of the portion marked 18G in Fig. 18F;

[0095] Fig. 18H is an isolated perspective view of the wall mounting plate; and Figs. 19A - 19C illustrate different mounting modes of a bin organizer according to the present disclosure.

[0096] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0097] Attention is first directed to Figs. 1 A to 11, illustrating a bin organizer according to the disclosure, generally designated 20. The bin organizer 20 comprises a rectangular housing 22 (seen isolated in Fig. 7B), having a pair of side walls 24, a top wall 26, a bottom wall 28 and a back wall 30, wherein a front edge of at least the side walls 24 defines a front surface of the housing.

[0098] A carrying handle 32 is fitted at the top wall 26, pivotable between a folded (stowed) position, and an upright, carrying position (not shown). Support legs 34 at the bottom wall 28 facilitate supporting the bin organizer at an upright / vertical position.

[0099] The housing in the exemplified bin organizer includes three rows 40i, 40ii and 40iii of bin receptacles, partitioned by a central beam 44, wherein each row is divided and comprises two bin receptacles designated 46A and 46B, 48A and 48B, and 50A and 50B, respectively, collectively referred to hereinafter as BR (best seen in Fig. 7B).

[0100] The bin receptacles have a solid back wall and an open front with a sliding path SP extending therebetween, and each bin receptacle is configured with sliding ribs 60 disposed at least at a bottom face of the bin receptacles, extending along the sliding path, for slidingly supporting a storage bin as it displaces thereover.

[0101] The bin receptacles BR are suited for snugly accommodating one or more storge bins. As seen, the bin receptacles BR in this example are suited for receiving two neighboring standard size storage bins 66, or a double size storage bin 68. The bins 66,68 are displaceable between a retracted position (e.g. Fig. 1 A) and a withdrawn position (Fig. 10A). When two standard size bins 66 are provided at a bin receptacle BR, they are each independently displaceable. It is noted that at least the double size bin 68 can be partitioned by a fixed / removable partition wall 67 (e.g. Fig. 11).

[0102] The storage bins 66,68 are configured with four side walls, wherein at the retracted / stowed position a top edge 69 of the respective walls extend in close proximity with a top surface 70 of the bin receptacle BR, to prevent displacing of small items from the storge bins.

[0103] The bins 66,68 are integrally configured with a bin handle 72, integrally molded with a front wall 76 of the bin. Further noted, the bins 66,68 are configured at their front wall 76 with a pair of ribs 78, with a notch 80 at a bottom portion thereof, the purpose of which will become apparelnt hereinafter. It is noted that at the retracted position, a front most portion (namely handle 72) of the bins 66,68 does not project beyond a front surface of the housing and does not interfere with connecting a utility module to the front of the bin organizer.

[0104] Further attention is now directed to a locking mechanism 81 of bin organizer 20. The locking mechanism 81 comprises a manipulating bar 82 slidably displaceable along the central beam 44 of the housing 22, and slidably retained by snaps 83 projecting behind arresting lugs 85 (Figs. 12, 13A), with three locking rods 86 securely articulated thereto. The locking rods 86 span between the side walls 24 of the housing 22, with their respective ends being secured by a side ruler 88 slidably retained within a space behind side wall front cover 92, wherein the locking rods 86 are displaceable within inward facing recesses 96 at said front cover 92. The manipulating bar 82 is configured with a finger grip 102, however does not project beyond a front surface of the housing and does not interfere with connecting a utility module to the front of the bin organizer, as will be explained hereinbelow.

[0105] The arrangement is such that the three locking rods 86, together with the manipulating bar 82 and the two side rulers 88 give rise to a solid frame-like element generally designated 98 (Figs. 12, 13A).

[0106] A parrot-like shaped manipulating bar arresting member 110 is pivotally articulated about a snap hinge 112 (Fig. 6B) within a cavity 114 at a back side if the manipulating bar 82, whereby the manipulating bar 82 and the manipulating bar arresting member 110 are disposable as a unitary item. The manipulating bar arresting member 110 has at a top portion thereof a backward facing hook portion 120, an integral elastic arm 124 bearing against a wall surface 128 of the manipulating bar 82, thereby biasing the arresting member 110 in a counterclockwise direction, as per arrow 129 in Fig. 4B.

[0107] A thumb grip 130 projects through an opening 132 at the manipulating bar 82, said thumb grip 130 further configured manipulating with a padlock key eye 134, whereby a padlock can be securely locked thereto to prevent unauthorized opening of the bin organizer, when a pad lock is engaged therein (not shown).

[0108] The manipulating bar arresting member 110 is pivotal between an arresting (manipulating bar arresting member locked) position (Figs. 3, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B) and an unlocked position (Figs. 8A, 8B, 9A, 9B, 10B). At the arresting position, the hook portion 120 is arrested at a hook recess 136 configured at the central beam 44 of the housing (Fig. 4B), hence retaining the manipulating bar 82 at its locked / arresting position and preventing downward displacement thereof. At this position the key eye 134 is fully exposed wherein a pad lock or a zip tie can be introduced, to prevent unintentional / unauthorized unlocking of the bin organizer.

[0109] It is noticeable that at the locked position of the locking rods, the locking rods 86 extend interruptingly across the sliding path SP of the storge bins 66,68, hence securing the bins at their retracted position and preventing displacement thereof. Even more so, at their locked position, the locking rods 86 engage with notch 80 of the bins 66,68 (Fig. 5C), such that the bins are firmly and motion-free located at their retracted position.

[0110] When the manipulating bar arresting member 110 is pivotally displaced in a clockwise direction, against the direction of arrow 129, the hook portion 120 disengages from the hook recess 136 at the central beam 44 of the housing, whereby the manipulating bar arresting member 110 with the articulated manipulating bar 82 can be slidably displaced downwards, (in direction of arrow 141 in Fig. 9B), hence obtain an unlocked position wherein the locking rods 86 displace downwards too, and are positioned away from the sliding path SP at a non-interrupting location, such that the storage bins 66,68 can be displaced into their withdrawn position.

[0111] It is appreciated that sliding displacement of the locking mechanism 81 is facilitated using the thumb grip 130 and finger grip 102, at a single hand operation. The locking mechanism 81 is configured with indicia 144 for visually indicating the locked position. Also noted, the hook portion 120 of the manipulating bar arresting member 110 has a chamfered top surface 146, to facilitate spontaneous engaging of the hook portion within the hook recess 136, once slidingly displaced upwards, into the locked position.

[0112] Assembly of the bin organizer 20 is simple and comprises the steps of placing the solid frame-like element generally designated 98 over the front face of the housing 22 (Fig. 13 A), snapingly placing both side wall front covers 92 over the side walls 24, slidingly accommodating rulers 88 and locking rods 86 (Fig. 13B), assembling the handle 32, and introducing the storage bins 66,68 into the bin receptacles BR (Fig. 13C)

[0113] As mentioned hereinabove, the storage bins 66, 68 are configured at their bottom face 152 (Fig. 10B) with one or more sliding ribs 60, wherein at a withdrawn position, shoulder 61 of said ribs 60 serve as a stopper upon engaging with upright lip 158 extending within each bin receptacle BR, hence limiting withdrawal displacement of the bins and preventing unintentional removal of the bins, whilst a top back edge 162 of the storage bin bears against the top surface 70 of the bin receptacle.

[0114] In Figs. 1 A to 13C, the storage bins 66, 68 are configured for displacing about an arched sliding path (seen for example in Figs. 10A, 10B), i.e. are configured as so-called “tilt” bins, whereby at the withdrawn position a top front edge 164 of a storge bin extends below a top back edge 162 of the storage bin, facilitating improved visibility of the contents of the storage bin.

[0115] Figs. 14A and 14B illustrate removal of a storage bin 66, whereby it is displaced about a linear sliding path SP’, allowing shoulder 61 to pass over the lip 158 and facilitate removal of the bin.

[0116] Bin organizer 20 is configured with a connectivity system for detachably attaching thereof to a utility module configured with a corresponding connectivity system. The utility module can be a bin organizer (a like one or a different one), a wall mount, a container, a hand truck, etc.

[0117] According to specific embodiments, the coupling mechanisms utilized in the bin organizer discussed herein are described in US Patent No. 11,554,898, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0118] In the illustrated example, bin organizer 20 comprises a front coupling arrangement (Fig. 15) and a back coupling arrangement (Fig. 16).

[0119] The two side wall front covers 92 articulated at the front of side-walls 24 are each configured, at their top face 190, with three female coupling depressions, namely sliding locking slots 192, disposed parallel and along the top face 190 of each locking sidewall 24, and each slot configured with an arresting rib 194, a top surface thereof extending substantially flush with the top faces 190, such that the arresting rib 194 forms an undercut portion 196 therebelow, for arresting a respective coupling male member as will be discussed hereinafter. It is further seen that each of the sliding locking slots 192 is configured with an uncovered portion extending behind arresting rib 194, serving as a receiving bay 198 for a male coupling tongue, as will follow. The sliding locking slots 192 constitute female coupling members of a male-female coupling system.

[0120] The sliding locking slots 192 are disposed parallelly along a coupling sliding path (also referred to as an engaging path) extends in direction from the top wall 26 to the bottom wall 28, as represented by arrow 193 (Figs. 15-16). As seen in Fig. 16, the bin organizer 20 is further configured, along side edges 202 of back wall 30 with several locking tongues 206 (three in the illustrated example in correspondence with the three sliding locking slots 192), parallelly extending and disposed along said sliding path 193. Each of the locking tongues 206 is open in a direction facing the bottom wall 28, with a space 210 above each tongue, wherein the shape and size of each locking tongues 206 is configured for receiving within the receiving bay 198 (namely sliding locking slots 192), and further for sliding engagement with the arresting rib 194, wherein the locking tongues 206 constitute male coupling members of a male-female coupling system. The space 210 is sufficient for receiving the arresting rib 194.

[0121] Further configured at the top wall 26 of bin organizer 20, there is a locking latch assembly 230 (Figs. 4A, 17F, 17G, 18F, 18G) comprising a double walled cavity within the third top wall 26, with a locking latch 200, biased by a biasing member 203 within the cavity, such that a locking tip of the locking latch 200 normally projects from back surface 31 of back wall 30 (Fig. 2C). The top wall 26 is configured with a window 208 allowing access to a manipulating recess of the locking latch 200, facilitating manual manipulating thereof between the normally projecting position (engaged, locked position), and a temporarily axially displaced position, wherein the locking tip is flush or retracted from surface 31 of the bottom wall 30 (disengaged, unlocked position).

[0122] As will become apparent hereafter, the object of the locking latch assembly 230 is to prevent sliding displacement of a utility module attached to the back wall 30 of the bin organizer 20 along said sliding path 193, whilst the male-female coupling members provide articulation of the coupled / stacked units so as to prevent their separation in a vertical direction.

[0123] Further reference is now being made also to Figs. 17A to 17G, showing stacking of two bin organizers behind one another, the two bin organizers being similar to one another and are the same as bin organizer 20 illustrated herein, and are designated 20F (front bin organizer) and 20B (back bin organizer), respectively. Likewise, the respective elements of these organizers are given like reference numbers as above, however annotated F and B to indicate Front and Bottom, respectively.

[0124] For stacking the crates, the front bin organizer 20F is placed in front of the back bin organizer 20B at a partially overlapping position, such that the side wall front covers 92 of the back bin organizer 20B are coplanar with the back surface 31 of back wall 30 of the front bin organizer 20F, however with front bin organizer 20F disposed slightly above the back bin organizer 20B, allowing the locking tongues 206 of the front bin organizer 20F to nest within the receiving bays 198 of the back bin organizer 20B. Then, the front bin organizer 20F is slidingly displaced downwards, i.e. along the sliding path 193, namely towards the bottom wall 28, whereupon the locking tongues 206 engage under the arresting ribs 194, whereupon the locking tip 206 of locking latch 200 of the front bin organizer 20F slides over the gliding ramp 99 at the top of the front bin organizer 20F, causing the locking latch 200 to temporarily retract and facilitating further sliding displacement of the front bin organizer 20F over the back bin organizer 20B, until the bin organizers are flush behind one another (Figs. 17A to 17G,), whereby the locking latch 200 can spontaneously displace into its normally projecting position and engage a latch arresting portion 101 (at the top front face of the housing of the back bin organizer 20B). Once coupled, the bin organizers 20F and 20B are securely articulated to one another and will not detach unless the locking latch 200 of the top bin organizer is displaced to retract, facilitating sliding displacement of the front bin organizer along the sliding path, though at a reverse sense, whereby the bin organizers are uncoupled.

[0125] It should be noted that rather than articulating to bin organizers to one another as discussed above, a bin organizer according to the disclosure can be coupled to any other utility module, utilizing either the front coupling arrangement or the back coupling arrangement.

[0126] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, and with further reference now being made also to Figs. 18A to 18G, the bin organizer 20 is further configured with an auxiliary coupling arrangement, namely back coupling arrangement. The auxiliary coupling arrangement comprises a coupling arrangement 250 (best seen in Fig. IB) configured at back face 31 of the back wall 30 of the bin organizer.

[0127] Whilst the auxiliary coupling arrangement 250 is configured only on the back wall 30, it is appreciated that it could just as well be configured on any other one of the side-wall, top wall and bottom of the bin organizer. Furthermore, the bin organizer 20 can exclude any coupling arrangement, or it can be configured with any one or both of the front coupling arrangement and the back coupling arrangement. The back coupling arrangement (Fig. 16) is configured with a plurality of male coupling members 260 (the respective side edges of which, constitute the locking tongues 206 discussed hereinabove in connection with the front coupling arrangement).

[0128] The male coupling members 260 are configured for sliding coupling engagement with corresponding female coupling members 264 of a male-female slider coupler, e.g. of a mounting plate 270 (best seen in Fig. 19C). The male coupling members 260 are configured with a female-engaging portion projecting from the back face 31 of the bin organizer 20 and comprising at least one (two in the illustrations) locking tongues 280 projecting laterally outwardly from the female-engaging portion, and configured for sliding engagement with inwardly-directed arresting ribs 290 of the female coupling members 264 of the mounting plate 270, wherein coupling engagement takes place along an auxiliary sliding path parallel with sliding path 193.

[0129] The male-female coupling array disposed on the mounting plate 270 and the back auxiliary coupling arrangement of the bin organizer 20 are disposed so as to facilitate mounting of the bin organizer to the mounting plate 270 through the male coupling members 260.

[0130] In Fig. 19A, a bin organizer 20’ according to the disclosure is coupled through a coupling system of the aforementioned male-female type over a top cover 295 of a topmost container 297 of container assembly 300, at an upright position. It is appreciated that according to this coupling arrangement the bottom wall 28’ of the bin organizer 20’ is configured with a male coupling arrangement (not seen), similar to the disclosure in connection with Fig. 16.

[0131] In Fig. 19B bin organizer 20 is coupled through a coupling system of the aforementioned male-female type over a top cover 295 of a topmost container 297 of container assembly 300, at a horizontal position, laying thereover, wherein connectivity takes place similarly to the disclosure hereinabove in connection with Figs. 17A to 17G.

[0132] Fig. 19C illustrates the bin 20 articulated to wall mounting plate 270, as discussed hereinabove.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A bin organizer comprising a housing having an open front face; one or more storage bins; at least one row of bin receptacles, each bin receptacle in said at least one row of bin receptacles being configured for snugly accommodating one or more of said storge bins, the storage bins being displaceable along a sliding path between a retracted position and a withdrawn position; and a locking mechanism for locking one or more of the storge bins at the retracted position, said locking mechanism comprises one or more locking rods displaceable between a locking rod locked position at which the locking rod interrupts the sliding path of the one or more of the storge bins, and a locking rod unlocked position at which the sliding path is uninterrupted.

2. The bin organizer of claim 1, wherein the locking rods are horizontally disposed and attached to a manipulating bar, the manipulating bar being vertically slidable over a front plane of the housing of the bin organizer between a manipulating bar locked position and a manipulating bar unlocked position, and a manipulating bar arresting member for selectively arresting the manipulating bar at least at the locked position of the manipulation bar, wherein, at the locked position of the manipulation bar, the one or more locking rods extend interruptingly across the sliding path of the one or more storge bins, and at the manipulation bar unlocked position said locking rods are positioned away from the sliding path at a non-interrupting location, such that the storage bins can be displaced into the withdrawn position.

3. The bin organizer of claim 2, wherein at the locking rod locked position, the locking rods bear against a front portion of the one or more storage bins, and a rear portion of the storage bins can bear against a rear portion of the housing, whereby the storage bins are clamped at the retracted position at a motion-free position.

4. The bin organizer of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a manipulating bar centrally disposed at a front portion of the housing and slidably displaceable along a manipulating bar support beam of the housing, between a manipulating bar locked position and a manipulating bar unlocked position;said one or more locking rods articulated to the manipulating bar, opposite ends of the locking rods being slidably retained at a side wall support of a front frame portion of the housing, the locking rods being disposed at a bottom portion of the bin receptacles and are simultaneously displaceable by the manipulating bar between the manipulating bar locked position and the manipulating bar unlocked position; and a manipulating bar arresting member for selectively arresting the manipulating bar at least at the manipulating bar locked position.

5. The bin organizer of claim 2 or 4, wherein the manipulating bar arresting member is pivotally articulated to, and slidable with, the manipulating bar, and comprises a locking hook; said manipulating bar arresting member being displaceable between a manipulating bar arresting member locking position at which said locking hook is arrested by a locking recess at the manipulating bar support beam of the housing, wherein the manipulating bar is slidably arrested, and a manipulating bar arresting member unlocked position at which said locking hook is disengaged from the locking recess, wherein the manipulating bar is slidable.

6. The bin organizer of claim 2 or 4, wherein the locking rods are simultaneously displaceable between the respective locking rod locked position and locking rod unlocked position.

7. The bin organizer of claim 2 or 4, wherein the manipulating bar arresting member is normally biased into the manipulating bar arresting member locking position.

8. The bin organizer of claim 2 or 4, wherein the manipulating bar arresting member comprises a biasing element integral therewith, said biasing element bearing against an inside surface of the manipulating bar.

9. The bin organizer of claim 2 or 4, wherein one or both of the manipulating bar arresting member and the manipulating bar is configurable with a finger-grip portion.

10. The bin organizer of claim 2 or 4, wherein the manipulating bar arresting member comprises a padlock key eye, whereby a padlock is securable lockable to the padlock key eye to prevent unauthorized opening of the bin organizer.

11. The bin organizer of claim 2 or 4, wherein sliding displacement of the manipulating bar from the manipulating bar locked position to the manipulating bar unlocked position is facilitated by manipulating the manipulating bar arresting memberinto the manipulating bar arresting member unlocked position followed by sliding the manipulating bar.

12. The bin organizer of claim 2 or 4, wherein sliding displacement of the manipulating bar from the manipulating bar unlocked position to the manipulating bar locked position is facilitated without manipulating the manipulating bar arresting member into the manipulating bar arresting member unlocked position.

13. The bin organizer of claim 1, wherein a bottom wall of each of the storge bins comprises a downwardly projecting bin shoulder, engageable with a barrier disposed at a front portion of the bin organizer, to prevent accidental withdrawal of the storage bin from the respective bin receptacle.

14. The bin organizer of claim 1, wherein a front portion of each storage bin comprises a notch engageable with one of the one or more locking rods when at the locking rod locked position, and whereby displacing the locking rod into the locking rod locked position is distinct.

15. The bin organizer of claim 1, wherein one or more of the bin receptacles is configured with a partition ridge extending from one or both of a top wall and a bottom wall of the one or more bin receptacles, wherein when the bin receptacle accommodates a full-size storage bin said partition ridge projects into a sliding recess configured, respectively, at the bottom face or top face of the storage bin; and when the bin receptacle accommodates a two half-size storage bins said partition ridge extends between juxtaposed storage bins.

16. The bin organizer of claim 1, wherein at the retracted position top edges of the bins are snug against a bottom surface of a top wall of a respective bin receptacle.

17. The bin organizer of claim 2 or 4, wherein the locking rods are fixedly articulated to the manipulating bar and having a free end slidingly supported at a side wall portion of a front frame portion of the housing.

18. The bin organizer of claim 2 or 4, wherein said locking rods are uniform rods extending between respective side walls of the housing, and wherein respective ends of the locking rods are slidingly supported by a front frame portion of the housing.

19. The bin organizer of claim 18, wherein respective ends of two or more of said locking rods are connected to one another by a connecting rod slidably received within a side wall portion of the front frame.

20. The bin organizer of claim 1, wherein the sliding path of the storage bins is a curved sliding path, or a tilting sliding path, wherein at the withdrawn position a front portion of the storage bins extends lower than at the retracted position and a rear portion of the storage bin extends higher than at the retracted position.

21. The bin organizer of claim 1, wherein one or more of the storage bins comprises a dividing wall, dividing a space defined by the storage bin into sub spaces.

22. The bin organizer of claim 21, wherein the dividing wall is removable.

23. The bin organizer according to claim 1, wherein the bin organizer comprises at least two rows of said bin receptacles.

24. The bin organizer of claim 23, wherein each row of bin receptacles comprises one or more bin receptacles.

25. The bin organizer of claim 1, wherein each bin receptacle is configurable to accommodate one or more storage bins.

26. The bin organizer of claim 1, wherein each of the storage bins comprises a bin handle integrally molded with a front wall of the storage bin.

27. The bin organizer of claim 1, wherein the housing is configured for maintaining the bin organizer at an upright position over a flat surface.

28. The bin organizer of claim 1, wherein the storage bins are interchangeable, wherein each storage bin is receivable within any of the bin receptacles.

29. The bin organizer of claim 1, wherein each of the bin receptacles is configured with sliding ribs disposed at least at a bottom face of the bin receptacle, the sliding ribs extend along the sliding path for slidingly supporting a storage bin during displacement along the sliding path.

30. The bin organizer of claim 1, wherein the storage bins are configured with four side walls, wherein at the retracted / stowed position of the storage bin, a top edge of the side walls extend in close proximity with a bottom surface of the bin receptacle.

31. The bin organizer of claim 1, wherein at the retracted position a front portion of the storage bins does not project beyond a front surface of the housing and does not interfere with connecting a utility module to the front of the bin organizer.

32. A bin organizer comprising a housing having an open front face,at least one row of bin receptacles, each bin receptacle configurable for snugly accommodating one or more storge bins, the storage bins being displaceable along a sliding path between a retracted position, and a withdrawn position; and a locking mechanism for locking one or more of the storge bins at the retracted position; wherein said locking mechanism comprises one or more locking rods, displaceable between a locking rod locked position at which the locking rods interrupt the sliding path of the one or more of the storge bins, and a locking rod unlocked position at which the sliding path is uninterrupted, wherein the housing is configured with a connectivity system for detachably attaching thereof to a utility module configured with a corresponding connectivity system.

33. The bin organizer of claim 32, wherein the connectivity system is configurable at one or more faces of the housing.

34. The bin organizer of claim 32, wherein the connectivity system is configurable at two side walls front faced of the housing and at a back wall face of the housing, wherein a connectivity system at the back wall face is connectable to a connectivity system at the front face of two side walls of a bin organizer.

35. The bin organizer of claim 32, wherein the connectivity system comprises one of at least one sliding locking slot and at least one locking tongue, located at the front face of two side walls or at the back wall of the housing one of at least one sliding locking slot and at least one locking tongue; and the other one of the front face of two side walls and the back wall is configured with the other one of said at least one sliding slot locking and said at least one locking tongue; the at least one sliding locking slot extending parallel to the side walls and defining a primary sliding path, the at least one sliding locking slot being configured with at least one arresting rib, and said at least one locking tongue is parallel to said side walls and is configured for sliding arresting with a respective locking slot.

36. The bin organizer of claim 32, wherein the connectivity system comprises ,at the front face of two side walls, at least one sliding locking slot extending parallel to the side walls and defining a primary sliding path; the at least one sliding locking slot is configured with at least one arresting rib;a back wall comprises at least one locking tongue at least at both respective side edges thereof, the at least one locking tongue being disposed parallel to said side walls and configured for sliding arresting with a respective locking slot.

37. The bin organizer of claim 36, wherein the connectivity system comprises a locking arrangement for releasably locking the bin organizer to the utility module, said bin organizer is attached to, the locking mechanism being a locking latch disposed at an outside face of one or both of a top face and a bottom face of the bin organizer.

38. The bin organizer of claim 37, wherein the locking latch is slidingly displaceable, normal to said primary sliding path, between a retracted position and a projecting position, wherein at the projecting position the locking latch is configured for engaging a latch arresting portion at an edge of a top face or a bottom face of the utility module.

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