Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Storage A~~aratus
The invention to which this application relates is apparatus for
the provision of a storage cavity so as to allow items to be
stored within the apparatus. Furthermore, it is desired to
provide apparatus for storage which can be moved between a
collapsed condition in which the apparatus itself can be stored
and an erected condition in which the apparatus can be used for
storage.
The invention is particularly, although not necessarily
exclusively, related to the provision of apparatus which in itself
can be used as a toy or is of an appearance which is attractive to
children and which can be used for the storage of toys therein.
However, it will be readily appreciated by the reader that the
invention as herein described, could be utilised in any
environment where storage space is required and the storage of
items therein is desired and therefore the features as herein
described, are applicable to storage means in any given form.
The provision of storage apparatus conventionally comprises
moulded plastics boxes which define a cavity therein and into
which the items can be placed for storage. A lid can be
provided for placement over the same to enclose the cavity.
While the use of such types of boxes is well known and
widespread, a disadvantage with the same is that they are
relatively unattractive to look at and, furthermore, do
themselves take up a considerable amount of space, regardless
of whether the same are full of items or otherwise.
It is known to provide storage apparatus which can be moved to
a storage position without the removal of the side walls from the
end walls and GB23672$3 illustrates one known type of this
apparatus. However a problem which is commonly experienced
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with this type of apparatus is that when erected, the same can be
relatively flexible to a point where they can be easily collapsible
which therefore makes the apparatus difficult to carry from
location to location with items stored therein. Furthermore, the
shapes of the storage boxes are extremely limited due to the
geometrical complexities of ensuring that the sidewalls and end
walls, which are permanently joined together along their
respective edges can be moved between folded and in -use
positions.
The aim of the present invention is to provide storage apparatus
which defines at least one cavity therein for the reception of
items for storage and which storage apparatus can be moved
between a collapsed condition and an erected condition and
retained in the erected condition to sufficient extent so as to
allow effective storage of items therein.
In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided storage
apparatus, said storage apparatus including a base and opposing
side and end walls which depend upwardly from the base to
define an opening into a cavity defined between the said end and
side walls and into which items can be selectively placed for
storage when the apparatus is in the erected position, said
apparatus movable between the said erected condition and a
flattened condition wherein the said side and end walls are
foldable downwardly towards said base and wherein engagement
means are provided along the adjacent edges of at least one side
wall and end wall which allow the progressive engagement of the
same from the base towards the top edge of the same to move
the said side and end walls to the erected position.
Typically, each of the adjacent edges of the side and end walls
are engaged by the progressive engagement means.
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In one embodiment, the progressive engagement means is a zip
fastener which is progressively movable to an engaging position
from the base towards the top edge of the side and end walls so
as to bring the adjacent edges into engagement and at the same
time bring the side and end walls to the upstanding erected
position.
Typically, movement of the progressive engagement means in
the reverse direction, from the top towards the base releases the
engagement of the adjacent edges of the side and end walls and
thereafter allows the said side and end walls to be folded
inwardly onto the base for storage.
In a further embodiment, one of the side or end walls is
provided with a lid portion attached thereto such that when the
said side and end walls are moved to the erected position, the lid
portion can be moved to enclose the cavity.
In an alternative embodiment, the lid portion is provided as a
separate item which is placed onto the aperture to enclose the
cavity as desired. In whichever embodiment, location means
may be provided to allow the lid to be releasably engaged from
the position on the storage apparatus.
In one embodiment, the engagement between the respective
edges of the side and end walls is in a straight line.
Alternatively, one or all of the engagement lines can be shaped
other than being straight and the relative shaping is defined by
the shape of the adjacent edges and followed by the line of the
zip fastener. Typically the shaping is provided to allow a
particular visual feature to be created on the apparatus when in
an erected condition.
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The provision of the zip fastener as the engagement means is of
advantage as the same are flexible and therefore allow the
shaping to occur while ensuring that engagement is still
achieved.
In one embodiment, the said side and end walls are formed of a
fabric material into which may be incorporated stiffening means
so as to provide the storage apparatus with sufficient rigidity
when in the erected condition and also to allow the apparatus to
be maintained in the erected condition and to prevent bowing of
the walls when items are placed into the cavity for storage
purposes.
In one embodiment, the storage apparatus is shaped so as to
give the appearance of an article which, when the storage
apparatus is erected, is appealing to children such as, for
example, a form of vehicle.
Specific embodiments of the invention are now described with
reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:-
Figures 1a to d illustrate views of the apparatus in accordance
with the invention in an erected condition;
Figure 2 illustrates the apparatus of Figure 1 with the
engagement means released; and
Figure 3 illustrates the apparatus of Figure 1 moved to a
flattened condition for storage.
Referring firstly to Figures la and d there is illustrated storage
apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention
with a lid removed and in Figure 1b and c with the lid in place.
In this embodiment, the storage apparatus 2 depicts a vehicle in
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the form of a bus. The apparatus comprises a base 4 and
depending upwardly from the same are side walls 6, 8 and end
walls 10, 12. The top surfaces of the side and end walls define
an aperture 14 which allows the placement of articles into and
out of the cavity 16 defined by the side and end walls and base .
Also shown as being selectively placed on the top edges of the
said side and end walls is a lid 20 which has engagement means,
perhaps strips of hook and loop fastener, to allow the releasable
engagement of the lid.
Figures la to d show the apparatus in the erected condition and
this is achieved via the provision of the engagement means 22
in the form of a zip fastener is provided to allow the selective
engagement of the adjacent edges of the side and end walls as
shown. In the position shown, the zip fasteners are fully
engaged and bring together the edges of the side and end walls
as shown and hence forms the storage apparatus. If required,
stiffening means can be provided within the side and end walls
so as to prevent or at least reduce the possibility of the walls
bowing when items are placed into the cavity.
It will also be seen that the edges 30 and 32 are shaped so as to
allow the outer appearance of the article as to have a distinctive
shape. The provision of the zip fastenings 22 which are flexible
allows this shaping to be incorporated while ensuring that the
engagement achieved is sufficiently strong to allow the storage
cavity to be formed.
Figure 2 illustrates the storage apparatus in the process of being
moved from the erected condition of Figures la to d to a
flattened condition and in Figure 2, each of the engagement
means in the form of zip fasteners 22, has been released so as to
allow the side and end walls to move downwardly to lie flat with
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the base to provide the arrangement as shown. Form this
position, the said side and end walls can be moved inwardly
around the hinge connection to the base 4 as indicated by
arrows 24 axis so as to be folded inwardly onto the base as
shown in Figure 3 from which point the same can be stored
when not in use.
In whichever embodiment, the base may be provided with
stiffening board which is permanently positioned or can be
selectively positioned so as to allow the base to be of sufficient
strength as to hold the articles therein.
The present invention therefore provides storage apparatus
which allows for the effective storage of items therein and,
furthermore, the storage apparatus is quickly movable between
the storage and erected conditions and furthermore, can be
shaped so as to be itself visually attractive.
