Convertible display and storage bin

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12048375-B2
Application number	US-202217686219-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 3, 2022
Priority date	Mar 3, 2022
Publication date	Jul 30, 2024
Grant date	Jul 30, 2024

Abstract

A collapsible storage bin comprising a base, at least two sidewalls each rotatably coupled to the base, and at least one corner rail. Each of the at least two sidewalls rotates from a storage position within the base to a use position extending out of the base. Opposing ends of each of the at least two sidewalls is formed by a channel open toward the channel of the other of the first side end and the second side end top to define a first coupling flange as part of the first side end and a second coupling flange as part of the second side end. The at least one corner rail includes a first planar segment and a second planar segment coupled edge-to-edge to each other. Each of the first planar segment and the second planar segment terminates with a return to form a different elongated reception channel open toward the other of the first planar segment and the second planar segment. The at least one corner rail selectively and slidably receives the first coupling flange of a first one of the at least two sidewalls within the elongated reception channel of the first planar segment, and the at least one corner rail selectively and slidably receives the second coupling flange of a second one of the at least two sidewalls within the elongated reception channel of the second planar segment to hold the at least two sidewalls substantially perpendicular to one another.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A collapsible storage bin comprising:
a base having at least two panels coupled to one another;
at least two sidewalls each rotatably coupled to an inside surface of a different one of the at least two panels such that each of the at least two sidewalls rotates from a storage position within the base to a use position extending out of the base, wherein each of the at least two sidewalls includes a first side end and a second side end extending opposite to the first side end, and each of the first side end and the second side end is formed by a channel that is open toward the channel of the other of the first side end and the second side end, and the channel of the first side end defines a first coupling flange, and the channel of the second side end defines a second coupling flange; and
at least one corner rails being elongated and including a first planar segment and a second planar segment coupled edge-to-edge to the first planar segment, wherein each of the first planar segment and the second planar segment terminates opposite the other of the first planar segment and the second planar segment with a return to form an elongated reception channel open toward the other of the first planar segment and the second planar segment;
wherein the at least one corner rail selectively and slidably receives the first coupling flange of a first one of the at least two sidewalls within the elongated reception channel formed by the first planar segment and selectively and slidably receives the second coupling flange of a second one of the at least two sidewalls within the elongated reception channel formed by the second planar segment to hold the at least two sidewalls to extend substantially perpendicular to one another from corresponding ones of the at least two panels of the base.

2. The collapsible storage bin of claim 1 , wherein when the at least two sidewalls are in the storage position within the base, the at least two sidewalls are stacked on top of one another within the base.

3. The collapsible storage bin of claim 1 , further comprising:
a shelf including outside linear edges collectively defining a perimeter of the shelf;
wherein at least one of the at least two sidewalls includes a shelf support bracket for selectively receiving one of the outside linear edges of the shelf when the at least one of the at least two sidewalls is in the use position to selectively maintain the shelf above the base.

4. The collapsible storage bin of claim 1 , further comprising:
a shelf including outside linear edges collectively defining a perimeter of the shelf;
wherein the at least two side walls includes four sidewalls arranged to form a storage chamber therebetween with a rectangular cross-sectional shape, and two of the at least two side walls extend substantially parallel to one another and each include one or more shelf support brackets extending into the storage chamber, which supports the shelf to selectively maintain the shelf above the base.

5. The collapsible storage bin of claim 4 , further comprising:
a shelf cover panel supported upon and substantially covering a top of the shelf.

6. The collapsible storage bin of claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one cladding panel having a top edge, a bottom edge, and opposing side edges each extending between the top edge and the bottom edge of the at least one cladding panel;
wherein the elongated reception channel formed by the first planar segment additional receives one of the opposing side edges of one of the at least one cladding panel.

7. The collapsible storage bin of claim 6 , wherein the at least one cladding panel substantially covers one side of the first one of the at least two sidewalls.

8. The collapsible storage bin of claim 6 , wherein the at least one cladding panel and one of the at least two panels of the base overlap.

9. The collapsible storage bin of claim 6 , wherein:
each of the at least one corner rail comprises a corner reception channel open to a top thereof;
the collapsible storage bin includes a top cap to cover top edges of the at least two sidewalls the top cap including lengths intersecting at corners and a corner post extending downwardly from each corner;
each corner post being sized and shaped to fit into the corner reception channel to selectively couple the top cap to the at least one corner rails.

10. The collapsible storage bin of claim 9 , further comprising:
a shelf cover panel set atop and supported by the top cap to cover a storage chamber formed by the at least two sidewalls over the base.

11. The collapsible storage bin of claim 1 , wherein each of the at least one corner rails stores in the base during nonuse.

12. The collapsible storage bin of claim 1 , wherein:
each of the at least one corner rail comprises a corner reception channel open to a top thereof;
the collapsible storage bin includes a top cap to cover top edges of the at least two sidewalls the top cap including lengths intersecting at corners and a corner post extending downwardly from each corner;
each corner post being sized and shaped to fit into the corner reception channel to selectively couple the top cap to the at least one corner rails.

Assignees

• Target Brands Inc

Inventors

• Clark Jeremy A
• Zobel Erin L

Classifications

• A47F3/004

  adjustable, foldable or easily dismountable · CPC title

• A47B2220/0052

  Panels · CPC title

• A47B96/14

  Bars, uprights, struts, or like supports, for cabinets, brackets, or the like (aspects of adjusting height or inclination of shelves or brackets A47B57/00) · CPC title

• A47F3/147

  made of tubes or wire · CPC title

• A47B47/005 Primary

  Combination of corners and bars · CPC title