Storage device

Description

The present invention relates to a storage device for storing articles, comprising a base for positioning the device on a support and a frame provided with means for receiving articles.

The present invention could be used for storing tools, such as carpentry tools. The storage device according to the present invention could also be used as a sewing case depending on the size of the storage device and the preferred use of user.

In general the storage device according to the present invention is intended for storing articles which would normally require a substantial storage area.

Storing devices according to sort as described in the introduction are known in the prior art. Those storing devices for instance have a base and a frame, the frame being provided with receiving means for storing the article in the storage device. The receiving means could for instance have the shape of drawers. These drawers are movable in the frame in order to allow the storing and retrieving of articles in the device.

An object of the present invention is to provide a storage device as described in the introduction which uses the space available for storing articles more efficiently then devices according to the prior art.

This object is achieved in that the present invention provides in a storage device for storing articles, comprising a base for positioning the device on a support and a frame provided with means for receiving the articles, the frame having a first and a second frame element connected to the base in order to allow the first and second frame element to pivot with respect to the base, wherein the first frame element is at least partially enclosed by the second frame element and wherein the second frame element is provided with an opening to allow access to the first element through the second frame element for storing and retrieving articles in the first frame element.

The first frame element can be used as a storing element for storing articles. The second element, which at least partially encloses the first frame element also provides a surface for storing further articles.

As described below, the exterior surface of the second frame element can be used for receiving articles.

According to the present invention, it is possible that the first frame element is contained inside the second frame element.

According to the present invention it is possible that the frame is provided with apertures for attaching receiving means for receiving articles.

Thereby it is possible that the apertures essentially have the shape of a rectangle.

According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the second frame element is provided with one or more panels, the panels being movable from a first or closed position to essentially enclose the first frame element to a second or open position in order to allow access through the second frame element to the first frame element.

Thereby it is possible that the panels are provided with means for receiving articles.

According to the invention it is possible that the first frame element is provided with a drawer.

According to the present invention it is possible that the device is provided with drive means for pivotting the first and/or the second frame element with respect to the base.

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 shows possible embodiment of the storage device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows the storage device according to FIG. 1 showing the different elements of the storage device in more detail.

FIG. 3 shows in detail a possible embodiment of the panels of the second frame element, and

FIG. 4 shows in detail a possible embodiment of the first frame element according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1 the storage device 1 according to the present invention is shown. The storage device 1 comprises a base element 2 supporting a frame. The frame comprises a first frame element 3 (see also FIG. 4) and a second frame element 4.

As shown in FIG. 4 the first frame element 3 comprises a top part 31 and depending posts 32. Moreover the first frame element 3 comprises a central axis 33. Between the posts 32 and the central frame element 33, wall elements 34 are present. These wall elements 34 for instance have the form of a maze or web as described with reference to FIG. 3. The first frame element 3 is at the bottom part thereof provided with drawers 35. These drawers are movable from a position inside the contours of the first frame element 3 towards a position outside the contours of the first frame element 3 in order to allow the storage of articles in the drawer 35. As shown in FIG. 4 the top part of the first frame element is opened in order to allow storage of articles with a larger volume on top of a plate 36 covering the top drawer 35.

Further with reference to FIG. 1, the second frame element 4 comprises a top part 41 and depending posts 42. Between the depending posts 42, panels 43 are provided. Possible embodiments of the panel 43 are a maze or a web as described in detail with reference to FIG. 3. The panels 43 according to FIG. 1, are shown in a closed position which means that the panels 43 essentially enclose the first frame element 3.

As shown in FIG. 1, at least one panel is either opened or removed in order to allow access of the first frame element 3 through the exterior dimensions of the second frame element 4. This allows a user to store and retrieve articles from and in the first frame element 3.

The first frame element 3 and second frame element 4 of the storage device 1 according to the present invention are attached to the base 2 in order to allow a pivottal movement of the first frame element 3 and/or the second frame element 4 with respect to the base 2. This allows the rotation of the second frame element 4 with respect to the first frame element 3 in order to allow to position a specific part of the first frame element 3 in front of an opened or removed panel in the second frame element 4.

In FIG. 2 the storage device 1 according to the present invention is shown in more detail. According to FIG. 2, it is clear that the panels 43 are movable from the closed position shown in FIG. 1 to the open position as shown in FIG. 2. Because of this measure, it is possible to allow entrance to a specific part of the first frame element 3 without the need of rotating the first frame element 3 with respect to the second frame element 4. Moreover the rotational attachment of the panels 43 to the second frame element 4, allows the interior surface, this means the surface of the panels 43 in a closed position thereof, facing the first frame element 3, to be used for the storing of article.

The base 2, according to FIG. 2, provides a first 21 and a second 22 rail in order to allow the first frame element 3 and the second frame element 4 to be rotatably positioned on top of the base 2. Moreover the base 2 is provided with drive means 5 which cooporate with the base 2 in order to move the first frame element 3 and the second frame element 4 with respect to each other by means of said drive means 5.

FIG. 3 shows a part of a panel 43 according to FIGS. 1 and 2. In the FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, part of the panels 34 and 43 are indicated with a grey rectangle. This rectangle represents a maze or web, in order to be able to receive articles on respective panel 34 or 43. As shown in FIG. 3 the maze or web comprises apertures 61 separated from each other by means of ribs 62. The apertures 61 preferably have a rectangular shape. This allows easy attachments of receiving means 63 which are to be positioned in the apertures 61. The receiving means 63, for instance in the form of a hook, can be positioned inside the apertures 61 by exerting an external pressure on opposite sides of two legs 64, 65 of the receiving means 63. By reducing the pressure on the leg 64 and 65 the legs will return to an initial position and thereby clamp receiving the means 63 inside the apertures 61.