Storage means

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage means for storing at least one object, comprising at least one compartment with a central opening and a holding element which is releasably fastenable to the compartment and has an elongated shaft, wherein the shaft can be at least partially introduced into the central opening.

Description

[0001] Schmaltz

[0002] P3222PC00 (ML)

[0003] storage device

[0004] The invention relates to a storage device for storing at least one object, comprising at least one compartment.

[0005] Storage devices, such as toolboxes, are generally well-known. In these devices, the compartments are connected to each other, for example, by hinges. When the toolbox is opened, the compartments shift to allow access to all compartments, including those at the bottom.

[0006] The disadvantage of this is that the stored items can unintentionally shift position. The resulting disorganization makes it difficult to quickly find a desired item.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a storage device and a method for lifting out a compartment of a storage device in which the object is always stored in an orderly manner, for example also when opening the storage device.

[0008] The solution to this problem is achieved through the objects A / experience of the independent claims.

[0009] According to the invention, the storage device is designed and / or can be used to store at least one object.

[0010] In principle, any number of items can be stored.

[0011] The item in question could be, for example, a tool. The storage device could be, for example, a toolbox. Alternatively or additionally, the item could be, for example, fishing tackle, such as bait. The storage device in this case could be, for example, a tackle box.

[0012] Alternatively or additionally, the item could be, for example, a weapon or cartridge. The storage device could, for example, be a gun case.

[0013] Alternatively or additionally, the item could be, for example, a knife. The storage device could, for example, be a knife case.

[0014] Alternatively or additionally, the item could be, for example, a camping utensil, such as a pot. The storage device could then be, for example, a camping suitcase.

[0015] Alternatively or additionally, the item could be, for example, a picnic utensil, such as a plate or a cup. The storage container could, for example, be a picnic basket.

[0016] Alternatively or additionally, the item could be, for example, a spice. The storage device could, for instance, be a spice box.

[0017] Alternatively or additionally, the item could be, for example, a makeup tool. The storage device could, for instance, be a makeup case.

[0018] Alternatively or additionally, the item could be jewelry, such as a ring, necklace, bracelet, or watch. The storage container could be, for example, a jewelry box or a watch case. Alternatively or additionally, the item could be, for example, a cigar. The storage container could be, for example, a cigar case.

[0019] Alternatively or additionally, the item could be, for example, a coin. The storage device could, for example, be a coin case.

[0020] Alternatively or additionally, the item could be, for example, a magic prop, such as playing cards. The storage device could, for example, be a magic case.

[0021] Alternatively or additionally, the item could be, for example, a game, such as a die. The storage device could, for example, be a game case.

[0022] Alternatively or additionally, the item could be, for example, a poker chip. The storage device could, for instance, be a poker case.

[0023] This list is purely exemplary. Basically, there are no limits to the possible applications.

[0024] The storage device has at least one compartment with a central opening.

[0025] The object and the subject matter are different components.

[0026] The item is stored in the compartment. The compartment may preferably have a rectangular, e.g., square, base plate. For example, a frame may be provided that is connected to and surrounds the base plate or is placed on top of it.

[0027] For example, the compartment may be made of or consist of wood, plastic and / or metal.

[0028] The compartment can optionally be fitted with an insert, e.g., made of a foam material, with at least one contour that defines the position(s) for the object(s). The contour can be modeled on the object's outer shape. This ensures the object is stored securely.

[0029] The shape can, for example, be laser-cut and / or milled into the insert.

[0030] Preferably, the opening is cylindrical in shape.

[0031] For example, the diameter of the opening can be between 0.1 cm and 5 cm, preferably between 0.5 cm and 2 cm, e.g. 1 cm.

[0032] The storage device has a detachable retaining element with an elongated shaft that can be attached to the compartment.

[0033] For example, the shaft can have a length between 1 cm and 30 cm, preferably between 5 cm and 15 cm, e.g. 10 cm.

[0034] The shaft, for example, is cylindrical in shape.

[0035] For example, the diameter of the shaft can be between 0.1 cm and 5 cm, preferably between 0.5 cm and 2 cm, e.g. 1 cm.

[0036] The shaft can be inserted into the central opening, at least partially. Preferably, the diameter of the shaft is smaller than the diameter of the opening.

[0037] A section of the retaining element can be inserted at least partially or completely through the opening.

[0038] The compartment can be pulled out upwards using the retaining element. Therefore, this compartment is not a drawer that pulls out from the side.

[0039] Because the opening is centrally located, the compartment is always balanced when pulled out and therefore does not tilt.

[0040] The items are therefore always stored in an organized manner.

[0041] Further developments of the invention can also be found in the dependent claims, the description and the accompanying drawings.

[0042] According to one embodiment, a fixing device, preferably at least partially cylindrical, is provided which surrounds the opening.

[0043] For example, the fixing device can be formed by an edge area of ​​the opening through the compartment itself.

[0044] Alternatively, the fixing device can be designed as a separate component. This component can be attached to the opening in the compartment. For example, a section, e.g., a cylinder, of the fixing device can be inserted through the opening.

[0045] For example, the fixing device can be made of or consist of wood, plastic, and / or metal. Preferably, the fixing device can be made of a different material than the compartment. For example, wear can be reduced if the compartment is made of wood and the fixing device is made of metal.

[0046] The fixing device can optionally include a plate-shaped section, e.g., an (aluminum) sheet, which is connected to the cylinder, e.g., welded. The plate-shaped section and the cylinder can also be manufactured as a single piece at the factory.

[0047] The plate-shaped section can be attached to the underside of the compartment, for example by screws. The plate-shaped section may, for example, have screw holes for this purpose.

[0048] According to another embodiment, the fixing device has an internal thread.

[0049] For example, the cylinder of the fixing device can have an internal thread.

[0050] The thread allows, for example, a screw to be used as a retaining element. This is, in a sense, a makeshift solution when the actual retaining element is not readily available.

[0051] According to another embodiment, the fixing device, e.g. the cylinder, has an insertion section and a fixing section, wherein the fixing section has a larger diameter than the insertion section.

[0052] Preferably, the insertion section is arranged above the fixing section.

[0053] For example, the cylinder can be stepped. It can widen from top to bottom. It is also conceivable that the cylinder narrows again after the fixing section. Alternatively or additionally, the fixing section can, for example, have at least one detent hole. For example, the detent hole could be located in the insertion section.

[0054] Preferably, several locking holes are provided, e.g., at least or exactly two, three, four, or more locking holes. The locking holes can, for example, be arranged in the same plane and / or equidistant from each other. Preferably, two locking holes are located opposite each other.

[0055] For example, the diameter of the cylinder can be constant - except for the detent holes.

[0056] The cylinder can be open or closed at the bottom.

[0057] According to another embodiment, a locking element, preferably pre-tensioned, is provided at one end region of the shaft.

[0058] The locking element can be, for example, a sphere or a hemisphere.

[0059] Preferably, several locking elements, e.g. two, are provided.

[0060] When inserting the shaft into the insertion section, the overall diameter, consisting of the shaft diameter and the (retracted) locking element, is preferably smaller than the diameter of the insertion section. The shaft can therefore be inserted without difficulty.

[0061] The diameter of the locking section can be larger than the combined diameter of the shaft diameter and the (extended) locking element. For example, the locking element in the locking section can relax, thus increasing the overall diameter. In this relaxed holding state, however, the overall diameter is larger than the diameter of the insertion section. Therefore, when the tray is lifted out, the holding element is held against a stop between the locking section and the insertion section.

[0062] This also works if no separate locking section is provided and the cylinder, for example, has a constant diameter. The locking element can then relax as it leaves the opening. In this case, the area below the opening essentially forms the locking section.

[0063] To activate and / or release the locking element, a button may be provided, for example, on a handle of the retaining element.

[0064] According to another embodiment, the retaining element is designed as a ball lock pin.

[0065] It was surprising that a conventional ball lock pin could be repurposed for this application.

[0066] The advantage of this is that costs can be saved in this way.

[0067] According to another embodiment, at least two compartments are provided which can be stacked on top of each other.

[0068] For example, one compartment after another can be removed. With a sufficiently long shaft, several compartments can also be removed simultaneously.

[0069] Preferably, at least one compartment can have positioning elements on its underside. These positioning elements facilitate positioning and / or prevent relative movement between the compartments. For example, the positioning elements can be located adjacent to the inner wall of the underlying frame.

[0070] According to another embodiment, the storage device is designed as a trolley.

[0071] For example, wheels may be mounted on the bottom compartment or on a separate trolley base. Furthermore, a trolley handle, preferably telescopic, may be provided.

[0072] The storage device can be easily transported in this way.

[0073] According to another embodiment, a fastening device is provided for securing the retaining element in the state detached from the central opening.

[0074] The fastening device can preferably be a hook-and-loop fastener, a clip, a clamp, a plug-in fastener, a snap-in fastener, a magnetic fastener, a pin fastener and / or a screw fastener. Fastening can preferably be tool-free.

[0075] For example, the retaining element can be clipped to a lid for storage.

[0076] Finally, the invention relates to a method for lifting out a compartment of a storage device according to the invention for storing at least one object.

[0077] The elongated shaft of the retaining element is inserted into the central opening, at least in sections.

[0078] For example, the locking element relaxes in the fixing section. The retaining element is detachably attached to the compartment.

[0079] To activate and / or release the retaining element, a button on the handle can be pressed, for example.

[0080] All embodiments and components of the device described herein are preferably designed for use according to the method described herein. Furthermore, all embodiments of the device and all embodiments of the method described herein can be combined with one another, preferably also independently of the specific configuration in which they are mentioned.

[0081] It is generally noted that terms like "ein" (a) and "eine" (a / an) do not necessarily mean "exactly one" or "exactly one," although this is also possible. The terms "ein" and "eine" can therefore be understood as "at least one" or "exactly one." The use of the singular preferably includes the possibility of the components being plural, and vice versa.

[0082] It is noted that "vorzugsweise" and "bevorzugt" can be translated as "preferably" in English. A feature introduced by "vorzugsweise" or "bevorzugt" is purely optional, can be omitted, and does not constitute a limitation, for example, of claims.

[0083] The invention is described below by way of example with reference to the drawings. The drawings show:

[0084] Fig. 1 shows a top view of an embodiment of a compartment of a storage device according to the invention.

[0085] Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the compartment according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a sectional view of an embodiment of a fixing device of a storage device according to the invention,

[0086] Fig. 4 shows a bottom view of the fixing device according to Fig. 3,

[0087] Fig. 5 shows a bottom view of the compartment according to Fig. 1 ,

[0088] Fig. 6 shows a side view of an embodiment of a holding element of a storage device according to the invention.

[0089] Fig. 7 shows a partially cutaway side view of the retaining element according to Fig. 6 when inserted into the fixing device according to Fig. 3.

[0090] Fig. 8 shows a partially cutaway side view of the holding element according to Fig. 6, which is held in the fixing device according to Fig. 3.

[0091] Fig. 9 shows a sectional view of an embodiment of several compartments of a storage device according to the invention, and

[0092] Fig. 10 shows a side view of an embodiment of a storage device according to the invention.

[0093] First, it should be noted that the embodiments shown are purely exemplary. Individual features can be implemented not only in the combination shown, but also individually or in other technically feasible combinations. For example, the features of one embodiment can be combined with features of another embodiment in any way. The number and / or shape of the compartments is essentially arbitrary. Furthermore, the number, shape, and / or position of the recesses and / or positioning elements can vary. The fastening device shown is also purely optional. If a figure contains a reference numeral that is not explained in the immediately associated descriptive text, reference is made to the corresponding preceding or subsequent descriptions in the figure caption. Thus, the same reference numerals are used for identical or comparable components in the figures and are not explained again.

[0094] Fig. 1 shows a storage device for storing at least one item 10.

[0095] Item 10 could, for example, be a Torx®.

[0096] The storage device has a compartment 12 with a base plate 14, a frame 16 and a central opening 18.

[0097] Compartment 12 may contain forms 20 for the objects 10, which are, for example, placed in an insert 22.

[0098] Since the shapes 20 can be modeled on the respective outer contours of the objects 10, the objects 10 can be stored securely in position.

[0099] Figure 2 shows that the opening 18 completely penetrates the compartment 12, i.e., the insert 22 and the base plate 14. Alternatively, the opening 18 can also be pocket-shaped.

[0100] A fixing device 24 is arranged in the opening 18, which is explained in more detail in connection with Fig. 3.

[0101] Positioning elements 26 can optionally be arranged on the underside of the base plate 14. These facilitate the stacking of several compartments 12. Fig. 3 shows a fixing device 24 with a cylinder 28, which can optionally have an internal thread.

[0102] The cylinder 28 has an insertion section 30 and a fixing section 32. The diameter of the insertion section 30 is smaller than the diameter of the fixing section 32.

[0103] A stop area 34 is provided between the insertion section 30 and a fixing section 32.

[0104] The cylinder 28 is rigidly connected to a plate-shaped section 36 of the fixing device 24. The plate-shaped section 36 has screw holes 38 for screwing it to the underside of the base plate 14.

[0105] The base plate 14 can have a recess so that the plate-shaped section 36 can be recessed flush into the base plate 14, as can be seen, for example, in Fig. 2.

[0106] A bottom view of the fixing device 24 is shown in Fig. 4.

[0107] The shape of the plate-shaped section 36 is basically arbitrary. For example, it can be polygonal, rectangular, round, circular and / or oval.

[0108] Fig. 5 shows a bottom view of the storage device with the fixing device 24 inserted.

[0109] The positioning devices 26 can be provided at the corners. Alternatively or additionally, they can be provided at any position, e.g., at the edges of the base plate 14. Fig. 6 shows a side view of a retaining element designed as a ball locking bolt 40. The retaining element 40 has a handle 42 with a knob 44 and an elongated shaft 46 with a locking element 48.

[0110] As can be seen in Fig. 7, the shaft 46 can be inserted into the cylinder 28.

[0111] When the locking element 48 leaves the insertion section 30, it can relax in the fixing section 32.

[0112] This holding state is shown in Fig. 8.

[0113] If the retaining element 40 is pulled upwards, the locking element 48 strikes the stop area 34 and the compartment 12 (which is not shown in Figs. 7 and 8 for clarity) can be pulled out upwards.

[0114] The retaining element 40 can be released from the fixing device 24 by pressing the button 44 on the handle 42. This releases the locking elements 48 and allows the shaft 46 of the retaining element 40 to be pulled out of the cylinder 28 and thus out of the opening 18.

[0115] Fig. 9 shows several compartments arranged one above the other 12.

[0116] The positioning elements 26 allow the compartments 12 to be positioned and stacked on top of each other.

[0117] As shown in Fig. 10, the storage device can be designed as a trolley 50 with wheels 52 and a trolley handle 54, preferably telescopic.

[0118] A retaining element 40 can be attached to a fastening device 56 if it is not required for pulling out a compartment 12. List of reference symbols

[0119] 10 Item, Torx®

[0120] 12-fold

[0121] 14 Base plate

[0122] 16 frames

[0123] 18 Opening

[0124] 20 Formation

[0125] 22 deposit

[0126] 24 Fixing device

[0127] 26 Positioning element

[0128] 28 cylinders

[0129] 30 Introductory section

[0130] 32 Fixing section

[0131] 34 Stop area

[0132] 36 plate-shaped section

[0133] 38 screw holes

[0134] 40 ball locking bolts, retaining element 42 handle

[0135] 44 buttons

[0136] 46 shaft

[0137] 48 locking elements

[0138] 50 Trolley

[0139] 52 rolls

[0140] 54 Trolley handle

[0141] 56 Fastening device

Claims

Claims 1. Storage device for storing at least one item (10), comprising at least one compartment (12) with a central opening (18) and a retaining element (40) detachably attachable to the compartment (12) with an elongated shaft (46), wherein the shaft (46) can be inserted at least partially into the central opening (18).

2. Storage device according to claim 1 , characterized by that a fixing device (24), preferably at least partially cylindrical, is provided which surrounds the opening (18).

3. Storage device according to claim 2, characterized by that the fixing device (24) has an internal thread.

4. Storage device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by that the fixing device (24) has an insertion section (30) and a fixing section (32), wherein the fixing section (32) has a larger diameter than the insertion section (30).

5. Storage device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, that a locking element (48), preferably pre-tensioned, is provided at an end region of the shaft (46).

6. Storage device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, that the retaining element is designed as a ball lock bolt (40).

7. Storage device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, that at least two compartments (12) are provided which can be stacked on top of each other or stacked on top of each other.

8. Storage device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, that the storage device is designed as a trolley (50).

9. Storage device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, that a fastening device (56) is provided for fastening the retaining element (40) in the state detached from the central opening (18).

10. Method for lifting out a compartment (12) of a storage device for storing at least one object (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongated shaft (46) of the retaining element (40) is inserted at least partially into the central opening (18) and the retaining element (40) is detachably attached to the compartment (12).

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