Article supporting case assembly

There is a wide variety of commercially available toolboxes, display kits, sample cases, and the like for the convenient mounting of articles to be displayed or utilized. Often in such prior commercially available constructions, however, inefficient use is made of the case space, and it is difficult to readily discern and/or remove all of the individual articles contained by the case.

According to the present invention, an article supporting assembly is provided that makes maximum use of the available space and is adapted to support all of the articles associated therewith in a manner so that they may be readily seen and/or utilized. The assembly according to the present invention may have a wide variety of uses, such as a toolbox, display kit, sample case, cabinet arrangement, etc.

According to the present invention, an article supporting assembly is provided which comprises a center structure, at least twc cover plates, and article supporting structures formed on the center structure and/or the cover plates, characterized by at least two spanners and first hinges for connecting one cover plate to one spanner, and the other cover plate to the other spanner so that the cover plates are pivotal with respect to the spanners, and second hinges for connecting the spanners to the center structure so that the spanners are pivotal with respect to the center structure.

In ome preferred embodiment of the invention, the assembly comprises a center plate; at least two spanners, each having first and second opposite edges, each of the first and second edges of each spanner parallel to but spaced from the otluer; at least two cover plates; article supporting means formed on at least one of the center plate and the cover plates; and means for hinging each of the spanners to the center plate generally along the spanner first edges, and means for hanging the cover plates together in pairs and means for hinging a cover plate to each of the spanners generally along the second edge of each of the spanners, so that the cover plates are pivotal from a first position generally parallel to the center plate (but spaced therefrom a distance corresponding to at least the width of the spanner) to a second position generally perpendicular to the center plate. A casing is preferably provided surrounding the center plate, with a handle on the casing, for ease of transport, as well as structures for locking the cover plates in their first position with respect to the center plate, and attaching the cover plates to each other in the first position of each. Also, the center plate may be pivotally mounted to the casing, and a second.set of spanners and cover plates be provided on the opposite face of the center plate from the first set of cover plates and spanners.

It is the primary object of.the present invention to provide an article supporting assembly that makes maximum use of the space defined thereby, and supports each article in a manner so that it may be readily seen and/or removed.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:

• Figure 1 is a perspective exploded view of an exemplary basic assembly according to the present invention;
• Figure 2 is a top plan view of another exemplary assembly according to the invention;
• Figure 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary assembly according to the invention suitable for use as a toolbox or the like, shown in closed condition;
• Figure 4 is a perspective view of the assembly of Figure 3 in opened-up position;
• Figure 5 is a perspective view of another exemplary assembly according to the invention;
• Figure 6 is a top detail view, showing a spring clip, in perspective, of exemplary article supporting means utilizable according to the invention.

An exemplary article supporting assembly according to the invention is shown generally at 10 in the drawings. All embodiments shown in the drawings have in common the following basic features: a center structure comprising a plate 12, at least two spanners 14, 14', each having first and second opposite edges 16, 18, and 16', 18', respectively, each of the first and second edges of each spanner parallel to but spaced from the other at least two cover plates 20, 20'; article supporting means 22 formed on at least one of the center plate 12 and the cover plates 20, 20'; means 24 for hinging each of the spanners 14, 14^t to the center plate generally along the spanner first edges 16, 16', and means 26 for hinging the cover plates 20, 20' together, and means 28 for hinging a said cover plate 20, 20' to each of the spanners 14, 14' generally along the second edge 18, 18' of the spanner, so that the cover plates 20, 20' are pivotal from a first position (see FIGURE 1) in which they are generally parallel to the center plates 12, but spaced therefrom at least the width of the spanners 14, 14', to a second position -see FIGURES 2 and 5 -- wherein they are generally perpendicular to the center plate 12. In the second position (FIGURES 2 and 5), the plates 20, 20' preferably are disposed in face-to-face relationship, and means are provided for attaching the plates 20, 20' in this position, such as permanent magnets 30.

While the terms "plate" and "spanner" are used to describe the components 12, 14, 20, etcetera, such terms should be interpreted broadly, and are not restricted to only thin, completely flat, continuous members, such as shown in FIGURE 1. For instance, the members may be segmented (see spanners in FIGURE 5), have a curvature, and have different shapes than illustrated in the drawings, the representations in the drawings being only exemplary.

The hinge means 24, 26 and 28 may comprise any suitable structures for allowing the relative pivotal movement desired, and preferably comprise ordinary cabinet hinges or the like. The components may be made of any suitable material, including wood, plastic, and metal, and the article supporting components 22 may comprise any conventional components suitable for supporting desired articles, including, but not limited to, brackets, hooks, shelves, elastic bands, magnets, spring clips, contour projections, and pockets. Supporting means 22' also may be provided on the spanners 14, 14' if desired and, in fact, separate plates may extend outwardly from middle portions of the spanners 14, 14' between the plates 12 and 20, 20', and such separate plates may also have article supporting means associated therewith. The plates 12, 20, 20' may be electro-magnetized.

If desired, a second set of cover plates and spanners may be provided, such as shown in FIGURES 2 and 4, and especially at 114, 114', 120, 120' in FIGURE 2.

A casing means 32 is preferably provided for covering the space between the cover plates 20, 20' and the center plate 12 when the covel plates are in the first position, such casing means being able to take a wide variety of forms, two of which are shown in FIGURES 3 and 5. For instance, the casing means may comprise a housing that is generally quadrate in plan, and includes top 33, bottom 34, and two side portions 35, 36, with two open end portions corresponding to the cover plates 20, 20' and the center plate 12. The two side portions 35, 36 will preferably have a width at least as large as the width of the spanners 14, 14', or in the situation where two sets of spanners and cover plates are provided, the width will be at least as large as the sum of the spanner widths. (See FIGURES 3 and 4, for example). In the embodiment shown in FIGURE 5, the casing means 32 is integrally connected to the center plate 12, the center plate 12 forming one end of the casing means 32. In all embodiments, the casing portions 33 through 36 need not be flat, but may be curved, and may be of any desired shape.

Where the assembly 10 according to the invention is to be used for a tool case, display kit, sample case, or the like, a handle 45 is preferably associated therewith to facilitate lifting and movement of the assembly. Other structures may also be associated with the casing 32, such as a drawer 37 (see FIGURES 3 and 4) mounted below the bottom portion 34, or above the top portion 33. Also, to hold the cover plates 20, 20' in a position with respect to the casing means 32 so that they will not move, releasable holding means may be provided.. Such holding means, which are illustrated in exemplary form at 40 in the drawing (see FIGURES 3-5 in particular) hold the cover plates to the casing means so that the cover plates are immobile with respect to the casing means and the center plate when the releasable holding means 40 are activated. The releasable holding means 40 may comprise a conventional right angle portion hinged at one edge thereof to a side portion 35, 36 (see FIGURE 4) with an opening 41 formed in one face thereof, for cooperation with another (i.e., threaded) opening 42 formed in the side portion 36, 36' with which it cooperates. A conventional wing nut 43 (see FIGURE 3).or the like is threaded through the openings 41, 42 to immobilize the cover plates, as shown in FIGURE 3.

Additionally, according to the present invention, it may be desirable to mount the center plate 12 so that it is rotatable with respect to a support with which it is associated (i.e., bottom portion 34 of casing 32), such an arrangement being especially useful when the second set of spanners and cover plates 114, 114', 120, 120' are utilized. Exemplary means for so rotatably mounting the center plate 12 may comprise a lazy susan -- illustrated schematically at 47 in FIGURE 2 -- mounted to the support 34 for the center plate 12, and to the center plate 12. For stability, especially where the center plate 12 has significant height, a pivot pin 48 (see FIGURES 2 and 4) may be provided extending the entire height of the center plate 12, and inserted in the top portion 33 of casing means 32, the top portion 33 forming a bushing for the rod 48.

One exemplary article or receiving means 22 that may be utilized according to the present invention is shown in FIGURE 6. Such means utilizes conventional spring clips 50 and a threaded rod 52. Each spring clip 50 has two arms 54, 54' and two pincher faces 55, 55', means defining an opening 56, 56' in each of the arms 54, 54', respectively, at a portion thereof remote from the pincher faces 55, 55'. The openings 56, 56' are larger than the diameter of the threaded rod 52, and are adapted to receive the rod. Abutting means are disposed on the rod 52 for abutting each of the arms 54, 54' so that the arms move and hold the pincher faces 55, 55' apart, such abutting means including at least one interiorly threaded nut 58 disposed on the rod 52 and adjustable along the length thereof. The nut 58 has an outer larger cross-sectional area than openings 56, 56' (or a dimension larger than the largest dimension of), so that it cannot pass through the openings 56, 56'. Means 60 are provided for mounting the rod 52 to one of the component parts of the assembly 10, such as the cover plate 12, so that the rod is spaced from the plate (12) to which it is mounted but is generally parallel thereto. The mounting means 60 may comprise any suitable bushing, such as a screw- threaded bushing, or an adjustable clamping band, or the like. Other structures besides the nut(s) 58 can also perform an abutting function, such as an end of the mounting means 60.

The assembly according to the present invention may be utilized in a wide variety of ways, for performing a wide variety of functions and for accomplishing a wide variety of specialized objectives. One particular . utilization is as a toolbox, and the utilization thereof will be described with respect to FIGURES 2 through 4.

In a first position of the cover plates 20, 20' relative to the plate 12, as shown in FIGURE 3, the releasable holding means 40 are activated to hold the cover plates 20, 20', 120, 120' in a low volume configuration, so that the articles supported by the plates are not visible and inaccessible and so that the entire assembly 10 may be easily transported from place to place. When it is desired to gain access to the articles supported by the assembly 10, the wing nuts 43 for each of the plates 20, 20', 120, 120' are removed, and the plates.20, 20' are pivoted with respect to each other about the hinge means 26, which also results in pivoting of the spanners 14, 14' with respect to the cover plates 20, 20' and the center plate 12. The same relative motion is effected for the plates 120, 120'.

The plates 20, 20' are then moved to a second position wherein they are substantially perpendicular to the plate 12 (see FIGURES 2 and 4) and they are held together in that position, such as by permanent magnets 30. In this position, all of the articles supported by the assembly 10 are readily visible and/or accessible. To gain access to a desired article not immediately in front of the user, the plate 12 is merely rotated with respect to the casing 32 about the lazy susan 47 until the correct article supporting plate or plate portion comes into clear view. The desired articles are removed from their respective supporting means 22, utilized, and then may be replaced. Once access to the articles supported by the assembly 10 is no longer desired, the cover plates 20, 20', 120, 120' are simply moved back to their first position, and the center plate 12 lined up so That it is completely within the volume defined by the casing portions 33, 34, and then the holding means 40 are reactivated to immobilize the cover plates.

It will thus be seen that according to the present invention an article supporting assembly has been provided that may support a large number of articles in a relatively small space, having maximum space efficiency, yet is able to display all of the articles supported thereby for easy viewing and/or access.