Storage device with improvements

The Invention which is the subject of this application relates to a storage device of the Type, in which objects such as clothing, toys, sporting goods, etc. can be stored and kept in one place.

Conventional Storage devices are usually commercially available and come in many forms, as produced, for example, as wood Toy boxes and ceiling boxes and made of plastic material storage baskets and containers before, and are self-standing, so as to for immediate use To be available. The, in whatever form, conventional self-standing device, has the disadvantage that it is part of the device of the premises and in many instances, the storage device can unsightly be and must on the premises be accommodated, even when it is not in use. Further, the conventional freestanding storage devices bulky and can available Floor area above fee take what especially in smaller spaces, such as For example, bedrooms, bathrooms and the like noticeable becomes. The devices may as well, particularly for Children, under certain circumstances pose risk, but are considered necessary items such as Toys, clothes and the like kept in one place.

The Provision of storage devices is known that at Use are free standing and also when not in use are, can be brought to a folded condition, in order To prevent it, if they are not used space taking. These devices can between a folded or flattened state and an erected position by providing a helical spring element move that along a helical passage in a sheet material is durchgewunden, so that the sheet material, the sidewall the storage device is formed and when the spring in their expanded state, it forms the device in a erected state. A movement of this spring to a flat made state or compressed state causes the storage device in a collapsed condition is brought. In the known device, it is necessary that an opening for Providing a funnel effect is provided so that, when an article on the orifice disposed is to be placed in the device, the opening means protrude to the inside of the device. This means, therefore, that a considerable available area Storage space within the device can not be used, since he, this requires for the opening means according to the Innenvorragen to be kept free, as if the space were filled with objects, the opening means then no longer extend up to the required degree inwardly could and therefore, the opening means will not function properly as a funnel.

A Such a device, is used to attempt to eliminate this problem, is disclosed in US Patent No. 1,583,083, in a collapsible container Provided with a Zugfadenverschluss, concluded in a Position using a key is secured. A problem is with this closure is that it causes a user to undertake various time-consuming steps to the closure to conclude.

The Object of the present invention is to provide improvements provide to the collapsible storage device, improve the usability of the device and improve Use of the storage space within the device allow.

In a first embodiment the invention there is provided a collapsible storage apparatus, wherein the storage device comprises a resilient frame and sheet material comprises, in this respect the frame is located, said resilient frame and sheet material the side walls form of the device, and between a flattened state and an erected state can be moved 'to the springy Frame is biased, wherein at one end of the device a base provided at the other end an opening is provided, the opening provided with a closure device, and characterized is that the closure device has at least one opening element has pivotally with respect to the apparatus in a closed Position can be moved in the locking device upwards and of the aperture extends away.

In one embodiment the closing device comprises two elements, wherein the elements pivotally apart can be moved to an open position to objects accommodate in the device and can be removed from it.

In one embodiment can the two opening elements are pivotable about separate pivot points are moved toward each. Alternatively, the two opening elements be pivotable about a common point moved toward each other. additionally , a rubber grommet or <?page 3?>use a rubber band, the opening elements in position to keep.

In one embodiment , the two opening elements front edges , which are provided with resilient portions which allow the two opening elements pivotable towards each other to a closed position and apart to an open Position can be moved. The resilient parts may be in the form of a spring or rubber portion.

In one embodiment can the two opening elements from the edge of the side walls extend upward, so that the parts when they are closed, positioned over the edge of the opening are and when they are open, essentially in the same plane as the opening lie. The provision of the aperture means set ensures that the entire area of ​​the storage device, the intermediate the plane of the opening and the bottom is set and is available for the storage of objects.

Preferably are the two opening elements in the closed position, are held together by a holding device.

In one embodiment include the opening elements a number stiffer at spaced intervals to sheet material Inappropriate wings the movement of the pivot operation of the opening means between open follow and closed positions.

alternative to the closure comprising two elements can, for example, comprise a member having a first portion attached to one side of the opening is, and has a front edge positioned between about a pivot point a position of a side of the opening can be moved, so that the storage device is open and a position occupies on or in contact with the other side of the opening to close the opening to conclude.

It is intended that in which embodiment, however, these Closure form a dome Closure provides when this closed in the position is.

In a second embodiment the invention there is provided a collapsible storage apparatus, comprising a resilient frame and sheet material desbezüglich the Frame is located, said resilient frame and sheet material the side walls form of the device, and between a flattened state and an erected position can be moved to the resilient towards the Frame is biased, wherein at one end of the device Bottom and provided at the other end an opening with a closure means is provided, the sheet- includes material with holding means around the periphery, so that the closure periphery around the opening of the A storage device may be arranged around the opening for conclude and to access to the opening obtaining by at least partial removal of the material.

These Shape of the storage device permits again the entire to use storage area for storing objects therein.

In one embodiment is the closure means to the device on at least one Point attached to counteract the tendency of the closure means remove and then discarded to be or to be lost.

In an alternative embodiment, is the opening means to the device along a substantial portion of the circumference of the device mounted so that the portion of the opening means can be moved between open and closed positions.

In a further embodiment the invention there is provided a storage device, wherein the storage device comprises a resilient framework includes, at the flat Material is mounted, said resilient frame and sheet material the side walls form of the device, and wherein the resilient frame to the sheet material on the inner surface the sheet is material mounted, so that the outer surface of the sheet material for mounting Available print material from is and will be displayed continuously.

Typically is the resilient frame to the inner surface of the sheet material within a housing affixed, consisting of sheet material is formed, in addition for holding the resilient frame, the same in a helical spring design formed, which allows the frame and the storage device to be foldable.

Conventionally, is the resilient frame means disposed on the outer surface and / or the Verstärkungsrippung was on the outer surface of the flat Material attached to the body of the resilient frame means, which means that only the portions of the sheet material between the locations of the resilient frame means for printing available material. This impairs to a considerable extent the usefulness and appeal Before the<?page 4?>direction, because not enough pressure is applied to the outer surface material can be in order to produce any significant effect, and it is argued that the invention of this embodiment of this application the usability of the device significantly improved.

Typically is the resilient frame of spring steel or another suitable expansible Element material.

In a still further embodiment, the opening means by a molded or formed otherwise subject be established, the article may be formed such that it provides a visual effect to the visual Impression of the by adding printed matter is produced on the sidewall, can add up.

In one embodiment of the invention is the storage device, the soil a and side walls mounted with a resilient frame and an opening means covers, used by children as a game device and to is to improve the safety of the device at least one Hole in the side walls and / or provided to the bottom of the apparatus.

Typically is a number of holes and preferably provided in the bottom of the device to so the ventilation to improve in the interior of the device without the appearance of the same influence.

Preferably includes the area Material of any suitable material, so that, for example, the bottom can be made from a water resistant material, a to prevent leakage in the stored in the device supplies. The area Material may also be made of flame retardant material be to meet the relevant safety standards.

The side walls the storage device Laying preferably a cylindrical Storage device firmly.

The specific embodiments of the invention are now with reference to the accompanying drawings described, in which:

the <figref idrefs="S12">1A</figref> to <figref idrefs="S13">1F</figref> the Storage device according to the invention in one embodiment, of the invention with an opening means represent;

the <figref idrefs="S14">2A</figref>-<figref idrefs="S15">2D</figref> various embodiments the pivot details of the opening means from <figref idrefs="S12">1A</figref>-<figref idrefs="S13">1F</figref> represent;

the <figref idrefs="S16">3A</figref>-<figref idrefs="S20">3S</figref> more alternative embodiments and uses the storage device according to the invention represent; and the<figref idrefs="S20">4</figref> a further embodiment of the invention.

In the <figref idrefs="S12">1A</figref>-<figref idrefs="S13">1F</figref> and <figref idrefs="S14">2A</figref>-<figref idrefs="S14">2 B</figref> is a storage device <figref>2</figref> shown, the side walls of the <figref>4</figref> in includes an erected state, and by a resilient frame means <figref>6</figref> are held in the erected state. At one end of the side wall <figref>4</figref> a bottom portion <figref>8</figref> and at the other end a closure device with a <figref>11</figref> provided opening <figref>10</figref> provided. In this embodiment, comprising the closure device <figref>11</figref> a first portion <figref>12</figref> and one second section <figref>14</figref>That the pivot points <figref>16</figref>. <figref>18</figref> at the storage device are pivotally movable. The sections<figref>12</figref> and <figref>14</figref> form when they, as in the <figref idrefs="S12">1A</figref>-<figref idrefs="S13">1E</figref> shown, are in a closed position, an inverted cup-shaped or dome Shape, with the edges the sections by retaining means <figref>20</figref>, as shown, are held together.

Around to obtain access to the interior of the storage device, , as shown in the <figref idrefs="S13">1E</figref> shown, the retaining means <figref>20</figref> dissolved and the portions <figref>12</figref>. <figref>14</figref> can pivotally be moved back, around the circumference of the sidewall of the opening of the storage device to rest, as in the <figref idrefs="S13">1F</figref> shown is, and so the entire area of ​​the opening for housing objects in and for the removal of items, is available from the interior of the storage device. Since the opening means <figref>10</figref> after from the ends of the side walls is upwardly dependent, it is equally clear that by the side walls and the ground fixed entire interior of the storage device for storing objects available is. The need for handling of the opening means is not limited available Space as in conventional Devices.

The <figref idrefs="S14">2A</figref>-<figref idrefs="S15">2D</figref> put alternative pivot point arrangements. In the <figref idrefs="S14">2A</figref> is, as shown, each part <figref>12</figref>. <figref>14</figref> by movement the front wings <figref>24</figref> separated rotatably movable and in <figref idrefs="S14">2 B</figref> are, as shown, the front wing Of the parts <figref>12</figref>. <figref>14</figref> about a common point <figref>16</figref> movable rotatably.

The <figref idrefs="S15">2C</figref> provides a variation of <figref idrefs="S14">2A</figref> represents wherein a connecting means <figref>15</figref> in the form of a grommet or a rubber band, there is shown the front wing <figref>24</figref> in Relationship holding each other. The <figref idrefs="S15">2D</figref> illustrates another embodiment wherein each the front wings <figref>24</figref> With a resilient member <figref>23</figref> in the form of a spring or a rubberized section for the parts <figref>12</figref>. <figref>14</figref> Provided and the wings allows a &lt;?page 5?&gt;carrier <figref>17</figref>. as indicated by arrows <figref>19</figref>. <figref>21</figref> shown between the open and closed positions to be moved.

The parts <figref>12</figref>. <figref>14</figref> , as in <figref idrefs="S12">1B</figref> shown, of a number of relatively rigid wings <figref>22</figref> formed that mounted at spaced intervals on the sheet material are, and the movement of the pivoting operation of the front wing <figref>24</figref> in between follow open and closed positions. Although in relation into a cylindrical storage device shown should be clear that this type of opening can be provided in a suitable form to the cross-section adjust the storage device.

The <figref idrefs="S16">3A</figref>-<figref idrefs="S17">3I</figref> put various forms of storage device is that using the concept of this invention can be formed. The<figref idrefs="S18">3J</figref>-<figref idrefs="S19">3Q</figref> put possible Uses an inventively formed Storage device is, and it should be clear that a Reference to a storage device as well as the in the <figref idrefs="S18">3K</figref>-<figref idrefs="S18">3L</figref> shown should include illumination uses. The remaining devices all be used in one or another form for storage. The<figref idrefs="S20">3R</figref>-<figref idrefs="S20">3S</figref> put a further embodiment represent and explain, like that on the surface the side walls pressure applied material in connection with the shaping of the Device can be used to the visual impression produced reinforce in which case the storage device and the pressure honeypot type shows the clearly identified with Winnie the Pooh and wherein there is the opening of a material surface in this case, around the periphery of the opening is removably attached.

The <figref idrefs="S20">4</figref> provides a further embodiment of the invention and shows a storage device with media about the entire outer wall of the device. This is made possible, since the resilient member with a helical passageway into engagement is as shown by the hatching in broken lines is, wherein the passage formed on the inner surface of the side wall becomes. This therefore means that, firstly, the passage of an exterior view is hidden, that secondly, the entire outer surface for the application of printing material it available is and thirdly, each reinforcing material typically used on the inner surface is used so that again the entire outer surface for freed Printing of material is available on what was previously not possible was.