Coupling platform for utility module

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11957245-B2
Application number	US-202217729423-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 26, 2022
Priority date	Apr 13, 2021
Publication date	Apr 16, 2024
Grant date	Apr 16, 2024

Abstract

Various embodiments of the coupling platforms described herein are usable to couple storage units, such as modular storage units, to structures, such as to the undersides of benches or tables. One or more of the coupling platforms described herein facilitate the user supporting a newly-disengaged support unit. For example, one or more of the coupling platforms permit the user to place their hands on both sides of the storage unit to complete a disengagement between the coupling platform and the storage unit.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A coupling platform for a connectable utility module comprising:
a base portion comprising a front face and a bottom surface;
a plurality of male couplers extending from the bottom surface of the base portion, each of the plurality of male couplers comprising a body and a first tongue extending from the body below and offset from the bottom surface, each of the plurality of male couplers are configured to engage with a female coupler of a first container when the first container is positioned beneath the coupling platform such that a portion of a female coupler is received between the bottom surface and a first tongue of a male coupler;
a first elongate structure pivotally coupled to the base portion;
a securing element slidably coupled to the base portion; and
a first projection slidably coupled to the securing element, wherein the first projection actuates between a secured position in which the first projection prevents sliding disengagement of the first container from the base portion, and an unsecured position in which the first container is permitted to slidingly disengage from the base portion, wherein the first projection actuates between the secured position and the unsecured position in response to the securing element sliding upward with respect to the base portion.

2. The coupling platform of claim 1 , each of the plurality of male couplers comprising a second tongue extending from the body opposite the first tongue.

3. The coupling platform of claim 2 , each of the plurality of male couplers define a first channel above the first tongue and a second channel above the second tongue, the first channel and second channel configured to receive a portion of a male coupler extending from the first container.

4. The coupling platform of claim 1 , each of the plurality of male couplers define a first channel above the first tongue, the first channel comprising an open end and a closed end opposite the open end.

5. The coupling platform of claim 4 , wherein for each channel the open end is closer to the front face of the base portion than the closed end.

6. The coupling platform of claim 1 , each of the plurality of male couplers define a first channel above the first tongue, the first channel comprising an open end facing towards the front face of the base portion.

7. The coupling platform of claim 1 , comprising a second elongate structure pivotally coupled to the base portion, and a second projection slidably coupled to the securing element, wherein the second projection actuates between a secured position in which the second projection prevents sliding disengagement of the first container from the base portion, and an unsecured position in which the first container is permitted to slidingly disengage from the base portion, wherein the second projection actuates between the secured position and the unsecured position in response to the securing element sliding upward with respect to the base portion.

8. The coupling platform of claim 7 , wherein the first elongate structure and the second elongate structure are independently pivotable with respect to the base portion.

9. The coupling platform of claim 1 , the base portion comprising a plurality of apertures configured to receive a fastener that couples the base portion to an object.

10. The coupling platform of claim 1 , the plurality of male couplers comprising a plurality of rows arranged parallel to each other, each of the rows including at least two male couplers.

11. A coupling platform for a connectable utility module comprising:
an upper base portion;
a lower base portion slidably coupled to the upper base portion, the lower base portion comprising a front face and a bottom face;
a plurality of male couplers extending from the bottom surface of the lower base portion, each of the plurality of male couplers comprising a body and a first tongue extending from the body below and offset from the bottom surface, each of the plurality of male couplers are configured to engage with a female coupler of a first container when the first container is positioned beneath the coupling platform such that a portion of a female coupler is received between the bottom surface and a first tongue of a male coupler; and
a securing element coupled to the lower base portion and releasably engageable with the first container, wherein the securing element actuates between a secured position in which the securing element prevents sliding disengagement of the first container from the lower base portion, and an unsecured position in which the first container is permitted to slidingly disengage from the lower base portion, wherein the securing element actuates from the secured position to the unsecured position in response to the lower base portion sliding towards the upper base portion.

12. The coupling platform of claim 11 , wherein the securing element is pivotally coupled to the lower base portion, and wherein the securing element actuates from the secured position to the unsecured position in response to the lower base portion sliding vertically towards the upper base portion.

13. The coupling platform of claim 11 , comprising a latch coupled to the lower base portion, the latch actuating between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the latch biases the first container from slidably disengaging from the lower base portion when the latch is in the locked position.

14. The coupling platform of claim 13 , wherein the latch is pivotally coupled to the lower base portion.

15. The coupling platform of claim 11 , each of the plurality of male couplers defining a first channel above the first tongue, the first channel comprising an open end facing towards the front face of the base portion.

16. The coupling platform of claim 11 , each of the plurality of male couplers comprising a second tongue extending from the body opposite the first tongue, each of the plurality of male couplers define a first channel above the first tongue and a second channel above the second tongue, the first channel and second channel configured to receive a portion of a male coupler extending from the first container.

17. A coupling platform for a connectable utility module comprising:
a lower base portion comprising a front face, a bottom surface and opposing side faces;
a plurality of male couplers extending from the bottom surface of the lower base portion, each of the plurality of male couplers comprising a body and a first tongue extending from the body below and offset from the bottom surface, each of the plurality of male couplers are configured to engage with a female coupler of a first container when the first container is positioned beneath the coupling platform such that a portion of a female coupler is received between the bottom surface and a first tongue of a male coupler; and
a latch pivotally coupled to the lower base portion, the latch extending from a first end to an opposing second end, the latch pivoting about an axis relative to the lower base portion, the latch including a projection that protrudes downward and is received in a latch recess of the first container such that the latch prevents sliding disengagement of the first container relative to the lower base portion, the latch including an interface portion coupled to the second end of the latch, the latch configured to translate downwardly-directed force on the interface portion into the projection pivoting upward and away from the latch recess thereby disengaging the projection from the first container.

18. The coupling platform of claim

Assignees

• Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp

Inventors

• Barton George
• Blumenthal Aaron S
• Camposagrado Honesto D
• Lownik Matthew A

Classifications

• A47B95/00 Primary

  Fittings for furniture · CPC title

• A47C7/626 Primary

  directly under the seat · CPC title

• B25H3/02

  Boxes · CPC title

• A47B13/16

  Holders for glasses, ashtrays, lamps, candles or the like forming part of tables · CPC title

• A47B97/00

  Furniture or accessories for furniture, not provided for in other groups of this subclass · CPC title